264 Linnean Society. [Dec. 6, 



that, if the Lisbon Sarsaparilla be carefully examined, it will be 

 plainly seen that the rootlets have been removed by some rough 

 mechanical process, and that when gathered they had as much beard 

 as the Jamaica kind, making it probable that if the merchant who 

 buys up this Zarza in various parts of BrazU, would instruct the 

 collectors that the preservation of these rootlets would not only save 

 them trouble but also increase both the weight and commercial 

 value of the roots, we should soon have from Brazil the same valua- 

 ble SarsaparUla which we now obtain from Jamaica. The distinction, 

 however, on which pharmacologists lay the greatest stress is into 

 "mealy" and "non-mealy," according as the mealy coat immediately 

 below the outer cortical layer is of greater or less thickness, or 

 entirely wanting. This distinction, which is at once seen to be by 

 no means well-defined, depends moreover on the age of the roots 

 and the locality in which they were collected, the formation of starch 

 being probably entirely regulated by physical circumstances. In a 

 bundle of Jamaica Sarsaparilla many roots may be found mealy at 

 one end and non-mealy at the other. Again, the form of the cells of the 

 nucleary sheath of the roots has been considered as furnishing good 

 marks of distinction between the Sarsaparillas of Central and South 

 America; and Schleiden declares that he can readily distinguish 

 them microscopically. But this theory, as appears from Mr. Bentley's 

 paper before referred to, does not seem to rest on any safe founda- 

 tion. 



Dr. Seemann believes therefore that he may safely conclude that 

 the greater part of the Sarsaparilla of Commerce is the produce of 

 one and the same species of Smilax ; but he does not wish to infer 

 from the identity of the three supposed species, that the commercial 

 distinctions, now so universally acknowledged, ought to be given up. 

 He believes that so long as the Brazilians continue to strip the roots 

 of their beards, there will be in the market the so-called Lisbon 

 Sarsaparilla, and as long as the inhabitants of the Spanish Main 

 preserve these rootlets, there will be Jamaica Sarsaparilla ; and further, 

 that as long as the climate and other physical conditions of Guate- 

 mala remain unchanged, we shall receive from thence Sarsaparilla 

 distinguished by its abundance of mealy matter. 



