CUCURBITACEZ. 87 
stony ground and becomes crooked and knotty. It is peren- 
ial and often attains a considerable size, but the average 
iameter in the wild plant is from 1 to 2 inches at the thickest 
art a little below the crown. Externally the root is of a pale 
yellowish-brown colour, with indistinct circular constrictions 
and longitudinal furrows. The transverse section is yellow 
with distinct medullary rays. The root is traversed by nume- 
- rous bundles of stout woody fibres; when wounded a clear juice 
exudes having a cucumber odour, which dries into an opalescent 
The root has an acid and astringent taste, and is not 
rom woody fibre. Dried at 100° C. the powder lost 6°76 per 
ent. of moisture. The ash amounted to 15°52 per ceut., there 
acid ; the acid solution gave indications of the presence of an 
kaloid. The separated ether left on evaporation a soft 
yellowish non- orystalline residue, possessing a fragrant a 
ether wad benzol. The aqueous solution after separation of 
ether was rendered alkaline with carbonate of soda, ont 
_ agitated with ether. Thehydrochloric acid solution referred to 
above was treated in a similar manner, and the separated eth 
ixed. The mixed ethereal solution left on sponenyee e 
