56 A COMPENDIUM OF 
nhame alum root. Leaves are radicle, petiolate, 
and inclined to cordate shape. Alum root 1s 
a powerful vegetable astringent, not now offici- 
nal. According to analysis, it is said to contain 
from 18 to 20 per cent, of tannin. There are 
two more species having the same properties 
and differing very little in general character- 
istics from the above. , 
Ipomea Pandurata, Wild Potato Vine, 
‘““Man of the Earth” Wild Jalap.—Natural 
order Convolvulacez, This is a perennial herb 
ound growing generally in sandy places in 
many parts of the United States, reaching 12 to 
24 inches (30 to 60 centimeters) in height, yet 
found trailing or twining. Leaves cordate and 
somewhat narrowed in the middle; flowers one 
to five on peduncles, with a creamy-white and 
purple tinted tube, : 
The root is large and conical in form and 6 to 
12 inches (15 to 3° centimeters) in length, and 
72-inch (12 millimeters) thick, of a pale-brown 
externally and of a dirty-white internally ; when 
fresh, exudes a milky juice when cut or broken. 
It contains, according to analysis, sugar, gum, 
Starch, resin and coloring matter. As areme- 
dial agent it has b 
_ diuretic and cathartic 
_ to 30 grains (1 to 2 gr 
