46+ ICTODES FETIDUS. 
ing in. my experiments but slightly impregnated 
with its sensible character. Alcohol, digested on 
the plant, retains its odour for a time, but this is 
soon dissipated by exposure to the air. ‘ 
An acrid principle exists in the root even 
when perfectly dry, producing an effect like that 
of the Arum and Ranuneuli. When chewed in 
the mouth, the root is slow in manifesting its pe- 
culiar taste ; but after some moments, a pricking 
sensation is felt, which soon amounts to a disa- 
greeable smarting, and continues for some time. 
This acrimony is readily dissipated by heat. 
The decoction retains none of it. The distilled 
water is impregnated with it, if the process be 
carefully conducted, but loses it on standing a 
short time. . | 
A resinous substance is dislodged from the 
alcoholic solution of the root by the addition of 
water, the solution becoming moderately turbid. 
A gummy or mucous principle is also present, 
and fills the mouth with mucilage when the root 
is chewed. It is separated from the decoction in 
small flocculi when alcohol is added. 
The spadix consists of a fleshy cellular sub- 
stance, which shrinks very much in drying. The 
seeds when dry are reduced to half their former 
size, and in this state they have a tough waxy 
