-336 A P P t^. N D I X II. 



bability, tKat iiiis IS me plant which produces the true 

 rhubarb. But this inference does not appear to be ab- 

 folutely conckifive ; for the fame trials have been re- 

 peated, and with fimilar fuccefs, upon the roots of the 

 R. Rhaponticum and R. Rhabarbarum. 



fum^''"'™" The leaves of the R. Rhaponticum are round, and 

 fometimes broader than they are long. This fpecies is 

 found abundantly in the loamy and dry deferts between 

 the Volga and the Yaik •'=", towards the Cafpian Sea. It 

 w^as probably from this fort that the name Rha, which is 

 the Tartarian appellation of the river Volga, was firft ap- 

 plied by the Arabian phyficians to the feveral fpecies of 

 rheum. The roots however which grow in thefe warm 

 plains are rather too allringent ; and therefore ought not 

 to be ufed in cafes where opening medicines are required. 

 The Calmucs call it Badfliona, or a ftomachic. The 

 young flioots of this plant, which appear in March or 

 April, are deemed a good antifcorbutic ; and are ufed as 

 fuch by the Ruffians. The R. Rhaponticum is not to be 

 found to the Weft of the Volga. The feeds of this 

 fpecies produced at Petersburg plants of a much greater 

 lize than the wild ones : the leaves were large, and of a 

 roundilh cordated figure. 



* The Yaik falls into the Carpian Sea, about four degrees to the 

 Eaft of the Volga. 



4 



The 



