208 Miscellaneous Intelligence. 



make us suppose that mail himself has only an apparent indivi- 

 duality, composed by juxtaposition of microscopic animalculae. iii. 

 All the species in nature are subject to the same laws of absorption, 

 augmentation, and reproduction : all are produced by the extension 

 of the substance of the mother who preceded them, and whose 

 specific resemblance they are destined to perpetuate, iv. Both as 

 an individual and as a species the Girodella como'ides should be 

 retained in the vegetable kingdom, because of its great analogy 

 with the vegetable conferva, and the analogy of these with the cel- 

 lular tissue of the superior orders of vegetables : for it is the pro- 

 duct of a reproductive globule which extends in mucous filaments ; 

 and finally, there is gradually developed in these filaments vesicular 

 globules, which ultimately become naviculares, and in which, at 

 last, are produced other globules, destined each one to reproduce 

 a new individual of the Girodella como'ides.— Bull. Univ. B. xvii. 

 474. 



16. Gathering of Medicinal Roots. — According to M. Kittel, 

 roots should always be gathered in the autumn. This rule is 

 without exception for all plants not annuals, with this difference, 

 that the roots of biannuals should be gathered in the first year, 

 whilst those of the rest may be gathered any year in their lifetime ; 

 but the roots gathered before the flowering year are always more 

 charged with active principles than those which have often sup- 

 ported a stem and flowers, so that roots of the first, second, and 

 third year are better than older roots. This is especially the case 

 with aromatic and narcotic roots, as arnica, briony, gentian, bella- 

 donna, angelica, liquorice, sarsaparilla, dandelion, fennel, &c, &c. 

 The volatile bitter, aromatic, nauseous, and, in general, all active 

 peculiar principles, are more abundant in the cortical layers of the 

 roots than in the woody part. 



For these reasons, M. Kittel says, that fresh roots should never 

 be allowed to be bought and sold for medicinal use, except in the 

 autumn and winter. — Repertorium der Pharmacie. 



17. Drying of Plants. — Always gather the root with herbaceous 

 plants, and, if possible, select a specimen with part of the head in 

 seed as well as in flower. Clear away the soil, &c, and when 

 quite dry, place the plant between papers, holding down the parts 

 adjusted with the left hand, while regulating the remainder, 

 and taking care to display any particular part which marks the 

 generic or specific character. Instead of employing only two sheets 

 of paper, lay three or four both above and below the plant, to 

 absorb a greater portion of moisture, and place detached pieces of 

 soft paper, folded in the required shape, size, and thickness on 

 each side the stem, and more prominent parts, and, if necessary, 

 over the petals and leaves. This will equalize the pressure, and 



