84 A COMPENDIUM OF 
Externally the root is of a pale brown and of 
rather a rusty white within; when broken the 
fracture is short; taste and odor exceedingly 
pleasant and aromatic; rarely, if ever, found in : 
the stores, except in packages, the contents of 
which are so broken as to be totally unrecogniz- 
able as the spikenard. The rhizome is said to 
contain resin, starch, sugar and a volatile oil; 
it is alterative, diaphoretic, stimulant and ex- 
pectorant in its action, and may be given in 
doses from % tor fluid ounce of the infusion; 
not officinal. 
Aralia Nudicaulis, Small Sarsaparilla, False 
Sarsaparilla and Small Spikenard.—Natural or- 
der Araliaceee. This perennial plant is found 
growing in Canada and the United States; its 
flowers are in umbels of a green color, five sta- 
mens, five petals and five styles; leaves ovate 
with serrated edges on a sin gle stalk and attain- 
ing a height of 12 inches (30 centimeters). The 
thizome is 12 to 36 inches (30 to 90 centimeters) 
long, with many slender branches, which are 
again divided by a number of radicles when dt y; 
and as it occurs in commerce it is 12 inches (30 
centimeters) in length and ¥% inch (6 millime- 
ters) thick, annulated and much wrinkled; stem 
insertions somewhat cup-shaped. Externally it 
is of a light gtayish-brown; internally white, 
with a pale-yellow wood and a porous pith; odor 
aromatic; taste bitter, disagreeable and nausea- 
ting. The Aralia Racemosa, American Spike- 
nard, is distinguished from the above by its 
spreading branches and heart-shaped leaves, or 
rather leaflets, differing otherwise only in a few 
minor particulars. The Aralia Spinosa belongs 
