RHEUM PALMATUM. 
Frurr. Achenium, usually triangular. 
Sseps. Embryo generally on one side of farinaceous albumen 
THE SECONDARY CHARACTERS, 
Rueum. Calyx colored, six—sepaled, persistent. Stamens 
nine. Styles three. Stigmas multifid, reflexed. Achenia 
three-angled, the angles margined. 
Calyx none Corol six-cleft permanent. Nut one, three-sided. 
THE SPECIFIC CHARACTERS, 
Rueum Patmatum. Leaves roundish cordate, half palmate. 
Petiole long, channelled, green, with purple ribs. 
Leaves palmate, acuminate. 
THE ARTIFICIAL CHARACTERS. 
Crass Enneanpria. Séamens nine, Orper Trieynia. Herbs 
with alternate leaves and stipular sheaths. _ Calyz colored. 
NATURAL HISTORY. . 
This species, Ruzum Patmatum, is a native of Central Asia. It 
grows on the snowy mountains of Boutan and of Dauria, and 
arrives at considerable perfection when cultivated either in 
England or the United States. The plant is of easy culture by 
cuttings, or by seed. The soil best suited is one that is light, 
rich, deep, and moderately moist, 
The root is perennial, thick, oval, branched, externally brown, 
and internally of a deep yellow color. The- stem, which rises . 
eight or ten feet in height, is erect, round, hollow, jointed, very 
slightly furrowed, and maculated with small oblong purple streaks, 
the lower leaves stand upon long smooth petioles, are numerous, 
large, divided into five segments, which are deeply sinuated, 
toothed, and strongly ribbed; the petiole being divided at its 
apex into the five midribs of the segments, of a deep green color, 
rough above, and pale and villous below: those of the stem 
spring from the joints, are also petiolate, and gradually lessen 
_ in size towards the top of the stem. There is a sheathing sti- 
_ pule, or ochrea at the base of each stem leaf. The flowers spring 
__ from the axilla of the base in numerous panicled clfisters ; they — 
