RHEUM PALMATUM. 127 



Russian or Bucharian Rhubarb is imported from St. Peters- 

 burgh. It is said formerly to have been brought by way of 

 Natolia, hence the name of Turkey Rhubarb, which it ordinarily 

 bears in the shops. It is imported in boxes or cases covered 

 with a pitched cloth. The shapes of the pieces are various, 

 being angular, rounded, and irregular, most of them perforated 

 with holes; externally they are covered with a bright yellow 

 powder, and beneath this the surface has a reddish-white tint. 



Dutch-trimmed or Batavian Rhubarb, — It is the finest quality 

 of the Chinese Rhubarbs. It is imported from Canton and 

 Singapore Pereira says that it is probably Bucharian Rhubarb, 

 of less pure quality, sent by way of Canton, and which in con- 

 sequence has been usually confounded by pharmacological writers 



with Chinese Rhubarb. In shape, size, and general appearance 

 it resembles the Russian kind. In the drug trade this Rhubarb 

 is said to be trimmed. 



China or East Indian Rhubarb is imported either directly 

 from Canton, or indirectly by Singapore and other parts of the 

 East Indies, and is probably the produce of China. It is im- 

 ported in chests. The cortical portion of the root appears to 

 have been scraped rather than sliced off, and hence the surface 

 is not so angular. The pieces are generally perforated with 



holes, in many of which we find portions of the cords by which 

 the pieces were suspended. The surface is more of a yellowish- 

 brown than reddish-white colour, and has coarser fibres than 

 Russian Rhubarb. On the finer pieces, we notice numerous 

 starlike spots, or depressions. The odour of this species is 

 much less powerful than that of Russian Rhubarb, and is some- 

 what less aromatic. 



Himalayan Rhubarb.— This is the produce probably of Rheum 

 Emodi; it comes into India, according to Dr. Royle, through 

 Kalsee, Almora, and Butan ; it is less valuable than the China 

 Rhubarb, and has a very bitter, astringent taste. 



English Rhubarb is made at Banbury, probably from the 

 Rheum palmatum, and is generally found as dressed English 



