CONVOLVULUS SCAMMONIA. 
* 
the pedicles, consisting of a double calyx of four emarginated 
leaflets in each row, and a funnel-shaped, pale-yellow plaited 
corolla. The capsule is three or four-celled, containing small 
pyramidical-shaped seeds. 
The plant will grow readily in any soil, and is increased by 
the roots or seeds, and sometimes by cuttings in sand. Scam- 
mony is obtained from the root of this plant in the following 
manner. Having cleared away the earth from about the root 
in the beginning of June, the peasants cut off the top in an 
oblique direction, just below the corona, or about two inches 
from the point whence the stems arise and below it. Under 
the most depending part of the slope they fix a shell, or some 
such utensil or receptacle, into which the juice flows sponta- 
neously. It is left there about twelve hours, which suffice for 
draining off the whole juice: this is in small quantity, each 
root affording but a few drachms. The juice from the several 
roots is added together, often in an old shoe or leg of a boot, 
for want of something better, where in a litile time it grows 
hard, and is the genuine Scammony. 
This concrete is a gummy resin, of a light, shining gray 
color and friable texture. It is imported from Aleppo in what 
are called drums, which weigh from seventy-five to one hun- 
dred and twenty-five pounds each; and from Smyrna in cakes 
like wax, packed in chests. The former is light and friable, 
and is considered the best; that from Smyrna is more com- 
pact and ponderous, less friable, and more abounding in im- 
purities. This is owing to the craft and cupidity of the Jews, — 
who make it their business to go where the Scammony is — 
prepared, and buy it while yet soft of the peasantry, and mix 
it with the expressed juice of the stalks and leaves, with 
wheat-flour, ashes, soot, fine sand, and various other articles, 
with which Dr. Russell found it adulterated. At Aleppo they 
have not the same opportunities, and therefore the Scammony 
from the latter place is most valuable. ss 
CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND USES. 
Good Scammony is light, friable, extremely like a honey-— 3 
comb, and should Jactify or become milky when wetted with __ 
the finger. It has a peculiar characteristic, rather heavy odor,. _ 
which has been compared to that of old ewe-milk cheese,and = 
__ a bitterish, slightly acrid taste. The color is blackish or bluish~ 
pe es ap aes 
