GENTIANACEM. 509 
_ to it the flowers of the Persian Gentian with which they are 
miliar. The medicinal properties attributed to it are those 
of Agrimony. 
7 - Description.—The drug, which is imported from Persia, 
consists of delicate quadrangular flower stalks, two to four 
inches in length, terminating when perfect in five flowers; 
one of these is terminal, the remaining four are in opposite 
Pairs and on longish peduncles, with bracts as long as the 
peduncles. The corolla is funnel-shaped, about 1 inch in length, 
erect, five-partite; calyx five-partite ; stamens five, alternate 
with the corolline segments; style single; stigmas two ; fruit 
three-fourths ofan inch long, one-celled, containing numerous 
Small seeds; calyx and corolla persistent. The lower portion 
f the plant is sometimes to be found; it has the leaves of a 
‘gentian. 
The entire plant is from 6 to 8 inches high, and very bitter. 
hemical composition.—The drug reduced to fine powder 
treated with ether yielded 7 per cent. of extract, consisting 
st entirely of a light yellow-coloured wax. The spirit 
contained a crystalline bitter principle, neutral in reac- 
on, unaffected by alkaloidal reagents but precipitated by 
mnin. The residue, after treatment with ether and alcohol, 
elled up on the addition of water, and a quantity of nee 
and red-colouring matter entered into solution. 
_Commerce.—The drug is an article of regular import from 
, and sells at from 2 to 3 annas a pound. 
Jintiyana. —Under this name Gentian root imported from . 
urope is sold in India, and is generally accepted by the 
