MALVACEAE. 203 
-- Microscopic structure.—The cortex of the root is chiefly 
liber ; the parenchyme consists partly of starch and partly of 
q inucilage cells ; stellate raphides may be seen. ‘The central 
_ portion is compel of wood cells, scalariform and pitted 
_ vessels, and parenchymatous tissue. 
_ Chemical composition.—According to Fliickiger and Han- 
_ bury, the mucilage in the dry root amounts to about 25 per 
cent. and the starch toas.much more. The former appears 
_ to agree with the formula C!2 H2° 0? ° thus differing from the 
_ mucilage of Gum Arabic by one oleate less of water. It 
likewise differs in being precipitable by neutral acetate of lead ; 
at the same time it does not show the behaviour of cellilose, se 
as it does not -turn blue by iodine when moistened with 
Sulphuric acid, and it is not soluble in ammoniacal solution of 
_ oxide of copper. The root also contains pectin and sugar, and 
trace of fatty oil. Tannin is found in very small ated 
m the outer bark alone. Marshmallow root contains from 0°8 
20 per cent. of asparagin, which is a widely diffused 
Constituent of plants; it crystallizes in large prisms or 
Octohedra of the rhombic system, and is tasteless and 
stated oe of physiological action. The peeled root 
°C. and incinerated affords 4°88 of ash, rich in 
(Pharmacographia. ) 
Commerce —The flowers, carpels and root are imported from 
Persia. Value, flowers, 2 annas per lb.; seeds, 4 annas ; ; root, 
4 annas, Bea 
In connection with this drug may be mentioned the Alth 
' the Portuguese at Goa, a substitute for Althsea; it is | :¥ eee 
ot of Grewia scabrophylla, Roxb. The drug consists of Be 
young roots, the largest being about as thick as the li 
nger. They are straight, unbranched, and have a thin Saye 
Cortex covering a thick white parenchyma, in which are s 
ell marked yellowish medullary rays, spreading from a tot 
dy, central column, the diameter of which is less tha 
pomp most of the cells of the — yu 
