GOMPOSITA. 315 
bout 7 per cent. of albumin ; at least 2 per cent. of mannite ; 
mall quantity of a neutral, not bitter, unfermentable sub- 
nce, crystallising in rhomboid pyramids}; and from 3 to 6 
cent. of ash, contaming potash, soda, manganic oxide, ferric 
oxide, and a small quantity of lime. Lactucin is yellowish, 
fusible, bitter, soluble in 80 parts of cold water, moderately 
soluble in alcohol and in acetic acid, less soluble in ether which 
deposits it on evaporation in nacreous scales or rhombic tables.. 
rmula according to Walz, C*°H*%0'*. The leaves of the 
ltivated lettuce were found by Church to contain water 95°98 
per cent.; albuminous matter 0°71 ; starch, sugar and gum 1°68; 
cellulose and lignose 0°52 _Aaenuhe il and fat 0°22; ash 0°89. 
The ash was very rich in witentes, 
© Konig gives the ler ae asthe mean composition of fs 
arden lettuce: — 
Water.. sss ong ee 9ABB | i. 
Nitrogenous 1 WAH R cv cae race os see MS oe 
- Pat wil 2 eo es 
NoganiGepenom extractive ......... 2°19 
nm ‘allulose ae 7S 
nd ABSh ver. iawn . 103 
TARAXACUM OFFICINALE, Wg. : 
Fig. —Reich. Ic. Fl. Germ. wiz. tt. 1404 —1406 ; Woodville, 
3 Bentl. and Trim. t. 159. Dandelion (Eng.), Pissenlit (Fr. 
Hab. —-Throughout the Himalaya and the Nilgiris. Cul- 
vated in N.-W. Provinces.’ The root. 
: Vernacular. —Dudhal, Baran, Kénphél (Hind.). ; 
story, Uses, &c.—The derivation of the. sadintak 
Tar araxacum is: uncertain, but it seems not improbable 
+ of the Persian 
