334 APPENDIX II. 



they remain until a fufEcient quantity is procured : after 

 which they are dehvered to the Bucharian merchants. 

 The roots are wrapped up in woollen facks, carefully 

 preferved from the leaft humidity ; and are in this man- 

 ner tranfported to Kiachta upon camels. 



The exportation of the beft rhubarb is prohibited by 

 the Chinefe, under the fevereft penalties. It is procured 

 however in fufficient quantities, fometimes by clandef- 

 tinely mixing it with inferior roots, and fometimes by 

 means of a contraband trade. The College of Com- 

 merce at Petersburg is folely empowered to receive this 

 drug, and appoints agents at Kiachta for that purpofe. 

 fxaminb"the Much carc is taken in the choice ; for it is examined, in 

 kTachta. the prefence of the Bucharian merchants, by an apothe- 

 cary commiffioned by government, and refident at Kiach- 

 ta. All the worm-eaten roots are rejected ; the remain- 

 der are bored through, in order to afcertain their found- 

 nefs ; and all the parts which appear in the leaft da- 

 maged or decayed are cut away. By thefe means even 

 the beft roots are diminiflied a fixth part ; and the refufe 

 is burnt, in order to prevent its being brought ahother 

 year *. 



* Pallas Reife, part III. p. 155 — 157. When Mr. Pallas was at 

 Kiachta, the Bucharian merchant, who fupplies the crown with rhubarb, 

 brought feme pieces of white rhubarb (von miichveiflen rha- 

 barber) which had a fweet tafte, and was equal in its effects to the 

 beft fort. 



Linnaeus 



