ASTRAGALUS VERUS. 39 
generally about thirteen, oval, entire, obtuse, slightly emarginate, viscid ; stipules inconspicuous. Flowers pale lilac, 
in axillary, erect, stalked racemes. Legumes compressed, smooth. (Lindley.) 
This plant is a native of the south of Europe. It flourishes in Spain, Italy, &c. Also in Syria at the foot of 
Mount Caucasus, (Royle,) and is cultivated in England and France. 
The root, which is called Liquorice Root, is in long pieces, about the thickness of the finger, of a grayish-brown 
colour externally, but when divested of the epidermis, of a yellow colour. Its odour is feeble, but its taste sweet and 
mucilaginous. The fresh root, according to Robiquet, contains Glycyrrhizin, starch, asparagin, resinous oil, albumen, 
woody fibre, and salts. 
As a medicine it is used for its demulcent and sapid properties. It is generally employed in affections of the lungs, 
in combination with expectorants. ‘The preparations are decoction, extract, and troches. 
Puate XX XII.—Represents the plant in flower, and the fruit. 
ASTRAGALUS VERUS,. 
OLIVIER. 
MILK VETCH. 
Sex. Syst.—Diadelphia, Decandria. 
Gen. Cuar.—Calyz five-toothed. Corolla with an obtuse keel. Stamens diadelphous. Legume two-celled, or 
half two-celled, in consequence of the dorsal suture being turned inwards. Herbs or shrubs. (De Candolle, who 
named the genus.) 
Spectr. Cuar.—A small shrub. Branches covered with imbricated scales and spines, the remains of former 
petioles. Leaves pinnate; leaflets eight to nine pairs, linear, trispid; stipules at first downy, then smooth. Flowers 
yellow, papilionaceous, in axillary clusters, of two to five, sessile. a 
This plant is a native of Persia and contiguous countries, as Asia Minor and Armenia. According to Olivier, the 
greater part of the Tragacanth of commerce is obtained from it. The A. gummifera, and A. creticus, and other species, 
are also said to yield it. So 
Tragacanth exudes either naturally or from wounds. De Candolle explains its exudation in the following way, 
which applies to all gum-producing plants. “The gummy matter resides in the bark and albumen ; it is the nutritive 
juice of the plant; and its escape, therefore, is analogous to hemorrhage from animals : hence plants from which it 
Spontaneously occurs are always in a sickly state. The mechanical cause of the expulsion of this juice is dependent 
on the unequal hygrometrical properties of the different parts of the stem. The wood absorbs more moisture from the air 
than the bark, hence it swells more. In consequence of its enlargement, it distends the bark, which, by the internal 
Pressure of the wood, gives way, and the gummy matter escapes.” According to La Billardiére, the Tragacanth ae 
only in abundance during the night, and a little after sunrise, which, as remarked , by Pereira, makes the facts acco 
with the explanation. , : rs 
_ There are several varieties of Tragacanth. It occurs in broad or thin pieces, twisted and striated, and is imported 
oeege o, from the eastern ports of the Mediterranean. 
t contains ¢ragacanthin, bassorin, and starch. oe vee 
This article oF the Materia Medica is demulcent and nutritive. It is said to be difficult of digestion. It is used 
as a vehicle for other medicines, in troches, and in the form of mucilage. 
PLate XXXIII.—Represents the plant in flower. 
