244 ORD. XIU. Campanaccee. CONVOLVULUS SCAMMONIA. 
ground, or neighbouring trees, to the extent of fifteen or twenty 
feet: the Ieaves are arrow-shaped, smooth, of a bright green 
colour, and. stand upon long footstalks: the flowers are funnel- 
shapea’, yellowish, plicated, and, according to Dr. Russel, placed 
in pairs upon the pedicles : the calyx is double, consisting of 
four emarginated leafiets in each row: the capsule is three and 
- sometimes tur locular,* containing seeds of a pyramidical shape. 
No part of the dried plant possesses any médicinal quality but the 
root, which Dr. Russel administered in decoction, and found it to 
be a pleasant and mild cathartic. 
It is from the milky juice of the root that we obtain the officinal 
Scammony, wiiich is procured in the following manner by the 
pheasants, who collect it in the beginning of June: “* Having 
«« cleared away the earth from about the root, they cut off the top, 
« in an oblique clirection, about two inches below where the stalks 
“* spring from it. Under the most depending part of the slope they 
« fix a shell, or some other convenient receptacle, into which the 
« milky juice gradually flows. It is left there about twelve hours, 
«* which time is sufficient for draining off the whole juice: this, 
*« however, is in smiall quantity, each root affording but a very 
« few drams. This juice from the several roots is put together, 
«< often into the leg of an old boot, for want of some more proper 
« vessel, where in a little time it grows hard, and is the genuine. 
« Scammony.” This concrete is a gummy-resin, generally of a 
light, shining, grey colour, and friable texture. It is brought from 
Aleppo and Smyrna;* that which comes from the latter place is less 
valued than the former, and is supposed to be more ponderous and 
* The Caps 2-localuris of Linneus, ought to be corrected, 
* Dr. Russel’s Description of this plant in the Medical Observations and Inquiries, 
vy. 1. p. 18. 
* The Jews make it their business to go to the places where the Scammony is col. 
fected, and there buying it while yet soft, have an opportunity of mixing it with 
such things as best answers their purpose; as wheat-flower, ashes, fine sand, with 
all of which Dr. Russel found it adulterated, ‘The purest Scammony is therefore 
the most active and most soluble, 
t 
