RHEUM PALMATUM. 
appear in May. The corolla is divided into six obtuse segments 
of a greenish white color, tinted with light pinkish purple. The 
filaments are nine, slender, the length of the corolla, and furs 
nished with oblong double anthers. The style is short, with three 
reflected capitate stigmas. The germen is a triangular seed en- 
closed in a capsule with three membranous reddish margins or ale. 
Most of the information that has been collected with respect 
to the cultivation, preparation, &c. of rhubarb is derived from 
the Bucharians, the family of Tartars who deal in the article, 
and no European has been enabled to verify it. The Russian 
variety grows naturally in the mountainous districts, either on 
the sides of the mountains, or on their summits in soils of dif- 
ferent kind. It prefers, however, light and sandy loose earth. 
The most vigorous plants are those which grow in the shade. 
The Siberian variety, on the contrary, thrives best in the sun. 
The roots are collected twice annually in the spring and the 
autumn. The age of the root before being removed from the 
earth should be at least six years and sometimes even more. 
When taken up it is immediately cleansed, deprived of its bark, 
and dried under cover in the shade, but exposed to the air—this 
may be done artificially. The drying process is the most diffi- 
cult, and at the same time, the most important in the prepara- 
_ tion of rhubarb. There is a difference in the appearance of the 
two articles mentioned, which is owing to the preparation. The 
Russian is angulated by the removal of the exterior with a sharp 
instrument—it is simply perforated for inspection. The Chinese 
is in rounded masses, smooth from attrition, which is accom- 
plished in a barrel and perforated to be suspended on cords to 
dry. se 
CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND USES. 
Good Russian or Turkey rhubarb has a peculiar, somewhat 
aromatic odor, and a bitter slightly astringent, subacid taste, 
feels gritty between the teeth when chewed, and tinges the 
saliva of a bright yellow color. It breaks with a rough, 
hackly fracture, is easily pulverized, and affords a powder of a 
bright buff yellow color. It should not be porous but rather 
compact and heavy. Water at 212° takes up twenty-four parts 
in sixty, forming an infusion of a brown color, nearly clear, and 
reddening litmus paper. Alcohol extracts two seven tenths from _ 
ten parts, and gives a tincture of a rich golden color, which _ 
