STAR GRASS. 95 
In the London Philosophical transactions for 
1730, a plant is mentioned by Clayton, which, 
though not described in botanical language, 
leaves little doubt that the Aletris farinosa is 
intended, He says, “there is another root of the 
species of hyacinths; the leaves are grass-like, 
but smooth and stiff, of a willow-green colour, 
and spread like a star on the ground. From the 
middle shoots a tall, long, rush-like stem, without 
leaves, near two feet high; on one side grow 
little white bell-flowers one above another. The 
root is black outwardly, but brown within. It is 
bitter and probably has the same virtues as Little 
Centaury. Some call it sl — ochre tech 
root, others: star grass.” — 
The root of the Aletris is highly 4 resinous, 
and. appears to contain a portion of extractive 
matter. The tineture, made by digesting the 
root in alcohol, is intensely bitter, and assumes a 
milky turbidness if water be added to it. The 
decoction is moderately bitter, and is not dis- 
turbed by alcohol. With chalybeate solutions it 
undergoes little change. The tineture is to be 
considered a stronger preparation than the de- 
coction, although the latter has a niga ama of 
the virtues of the plant. | | , 
