107-8 
cipitated from its watery solution (impure) by alcohol. Dry pure mucilage is a 
yellowish, tough, opaque body, swelling upon the addition of water, and finally 
dissolving into a ropy mass. The vegetable mucilages vary in their behavior 
toward reagents according to the plant from which they are extracted; they all, 
however, break down under the action of dilute sulphuric acid, first into gum, then 
sugar, 
The whole plant has not been analyzed. 
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—The principal symptoms caused by this drug 
are, according to Dr. F. Humphreys: headache; excessive digging, boring pain in 
carious teeth; severe dryness of the fauces and pharynx; colic; urging to urinate, 
with copious discharges ; looseness of the bowels; weakness and oppression of the 
chest; restless sleep; and a strong fever, with a high pulse which finally becomes 
weak and intermittent. 
DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 107. 
Whole plant once reduced, Bergen, N. J., July 18th, 1879. 
Flower. 
Pistil. 
Stamen, 
Pollen, x 250. 
SS 
(2-4 enlarged.) 
ap 
