THYMELACES. 25 
itivation of rhubarb was one of the numerous channels into which agricultural industry was coerced to move, and 
se ults were so favourable as to warrant a continuance of the endeavour to render the supply of the drug equal to 
ne aa Many of the establishments thus created were upon the most extensive scale. It appears that experi- 
ments were originally commenced at Grobois, and afterwards at Claye, near Paris. M. Genthen, a pharmaceutist at 
‘Orient, cultivated the rhubarb with some profit at that place ; he obtained from 1200 to 1500 pounds, which were 
sold and consumed in France; he was followed by others with like success. The species cultivated were, R. palma- 
tum, R. undulatum, and R. rhaponticum, but the best success was obtained with the R. compactum. The depart- 
ment of Morrhiban became famous for its rhubarb plantations, and in Brittany a place has been named Rheumpole, 
from this species of agricultural product. (See Fée.) . 
The mode of preparation is similar to that pursued in China; the pieces are introduced into a barrel, which is 
made to rotate on its axis for an hour, by which means they are rubbed smooth, and covered with powder from the 
attrition between them. 
In England good rhubarb is raised from the same species; some of it in this market had a handsome appearance, 
and more closely resembles the Tartarian rhubarb than the French. 
Cultivated rhubarb occurs in pieces which are longer than broad ; it has a more fibrous texture than Asiatic, and 
exhibits very contracted, fine, concentric and radiating veins. The smell is less pleasant, and the taste is astringent 
and bitter; it colours faintly the saliva, and does not so much grit between the teeth. The colour of the powder is 
deeper. It is less active than the true, but quite efficacious. Dr. Sigmond states that English rhubarb seldom 
pinches or produces disagreeable effects. ‘The French rhubarb contains more tannin, and a larger amount of starch. 
In the United States the rhubarb plants are cultivated more for the sake of the leaf-stalks which are full of malic 
acid, and in the spring of the year are used as a substitute for the acidulous fruits. 
Prare LXXI.—Represents the plant in flower, a large sized leaf, and the organs of reproduction magnified. 
THYMELACEA. 
LINDLEY. 
DAPHNADS. 
THYMELEXZ.—Jussieu. 
EssentiaL Cuar.—Stem shrubby, very seldom herbaceous, with tenacious bark. Leaves without stipules, alter- 
nate or opposite, entire. Flowers capitate or spiked, terminal or axillary, occasionally solitary, sometimes unisexual by 
abortion, often enclosed in an involucre. Calyx inferior, tubular, coloured ; the limb four-cleft, with an imbricated 
estivation. Corolla none, or sometimes scale like petals in the orifice of the calyx. Stamens definite, inserted in the 
tube or its orifice, often eight, sometimes four, less frequently two; when equal in number to the segments of the calyx 
or fewer, Opposite to them. Anthers two-celled, dehiscing lengthwise in the middle. Ovary composed of a single 
pg with one solitary, pendulous, anatropal ovule. Style one. Stigma undivided. Fruit hard, dry, and nutlike 
paceous. Albumen none, or thin and-fleshy. Embryo straight. Cotyledons plano-convex, sometimes lobed and 
sex ste Radicle short, superior. ( Lindley.) 7 
bead he plants of this order are few in Europe and North America, more frequent in India and South America, and 
ant in South Africa and New Holland. | 
The medi 7 : a i ; 
be found in og ila are acrid, sometimes poisonous; the principle daphnin, detected in Mezereon, probably may 
VOL, Il, 
7 
