50 : MEDICAL BOTANY. 
from which the flower-stalks had been broken to elude detection. When taken at the 
should be quickly and thoroughly dried, which is accomplished after previously slicing the 
mus is difficult, in consequence of its great retention of vitality, and Mr. Houlton recomme 
the little bulb or germ of the new cormus previously to drying. The vitality is thus destr 
advance of this will be the size of the projecting tubercle upon the bulb. 
Dr. Christison observes, that the cormus is whitest, firmest and largest at the end of June and be 
and then abounds in starch, there being no other cormus connected with it, If taken earlier, 
not more so. e 
The cormus contains, according to Pelletier and Caventou, Veratria united with excess 
ter and a volatile acid, yellow colouring matter, gum, starch, inulin and lignin. 
have announced the existence of a new principle, colchicina, 
fication of it. (See Pereira, Mat. Med.) 
Colchicum is an irritant, and in large doses a narcotic acrid poison. It powerfully acts upon the secretions, and is 
sometimes emetic and cathartic, Its chief value is in gout and rheumatism, and kindred affections. It is given in 
wine and tincture. 
Prate XCIII—Represents the plant in flower, in leaf, and fruit, and presents the embryo capsules with the long 
connected styles, occupying the tube of the flower. 
proper stage, the corm 
m. To dry the entire cop. 
nds the entire removal of 
oyed. In proportion to the 
; ginning of July, 
it is quite as bitter, if 
of gallic acid, fatty mat 
In the seeds, Geiger and Hesse 
which somewhat differs from veratria, but may be a modi- 
: - VERATRUM SABADILLA. 
RETZIUS. 
Sex. Syst.—Polygamia, Moneecia. 
Gen. Cuar.—Flowers polygamous. Perianth six-parted. Segments broad, concave, imbricating, nearly equal, 
striated, not excavated at the base. Stamens six, equal, inserted into the base of the segments. Filaments subulate. 
Anthers uniform with confluent cells. Ovary with three divaricating stigmas. Capsule three-horned, separating into 
three many-seeded follicles. Seeds compressed, winged at the apex. (Lindley.) ‘ 
Srecir. Cuar.—A plant three or four feet high. Stem erect, simple, round. Leaves numerous, spreading on the 
ground, all radical, ovate oblong, obtuse, with eight to fourteen ribs, glaucous underneath. Panicle. spreading, ee 
ple, or a little branched. Flowers rather nodding. Pedicels very short, approximated in twos and threes ; those 
the fertile flowers eventually becoming turned to one side; those of the sterile flowers deciduous and leaving a na 
Segments of the perianth ovate lanceolate, veinless, blackish purple. Ovaries three, oblong, connate, obtuse. a 
acute, dilated downwards. Stigmas simple. Capsules three, in form resembling those of the larkspur, opening a 
apex inside. Seeds three in each cell, imbricated, curved, blunt on one side, sooty, acrid. (Descourtiz. Lindley.) 
This plant is an inhabitant of Mexico, and the West Indies. : badilla 
The seeds of this plant as well as those of the Asagrea officinalis, constitute the Sevadilla, Sebadilla, or ef half an — 
seeds of commerce. They are imported in the capsules from Vera Cruz. — They “rarely exceed, or even equ Their | 
inch in length, and are about one line, or a line and a half in diameter. They are ovate oblong, acuminste. 
colour is pale, yellowish-brown, or reddish-gray. The coat of each is thin, dry, and of a papery consistence. The 
fruit is composed of three follicles, mutually adherent towards the base, open at the superior and internal ies ps.” 
receptacle, fruit-stalk, and the remains of the dry and withered calyx, are usually present in the cebadilla of the ae 
This description, from Pereira, will apply to one set of capsules as well as to another, but the seeds in _ > onsiitl 
2 to differ, in the one being dull brownish-black and obtuse, in the other shining black brown, an ’ 
aped. 
. : : . resin of 
— seeds contain veratria, cevadic or sabadillic acid, oil, veratric acid of Merk, resin, and gum 
Couerbe. 
In the manufacture of veratria 
are these seeds principally consumed. 
Piate XCIV.—Presents 
the plant in flower, the capsules and the outlines of the full-sized leaf. 
