CROCUS SATIVUS. “ORD. XLVI. Liliacee. | 765 
employed ; the Saffron is then found to be formed into a cake, 
which, aiter being turned, is subjected for another hour to the 
same degree of heat: it is then turned a second time, and a more 
gentle heat is applied for about twenty-four hours, or till the cake 
becomes dry, during which time it is turned every half hour.‘ 
Saffron, thus prepared, has a powerful penetrating diffusive 
smell, and a warm pungent bitterish taste.  “ It gives out the 
whole of its virtues and colour to rectified spirit, proof spirit, 
wine, vinegar, and water: about three parts in four of the Saffron 
are taken up by each of these menstrua; and the matter which re- 
mains undissolved is inodorous, insipid, and of a pale clay colour.’ 
The acetous, and even vinous tinctures of Saffron, on long keep- 
ing, lose a little of their colour and strength, but those made with 
rectified spirit remain in perfection for years.‘ “ In distillation 
it impregnates water strongly with its flavour: if the quantity of 
Saffron is large, a small portion of a fragrant and very pungent 
essential oi] may be collected, amounting, as is said by Vogel, to 
about a dram and a half from sixteen ounces, _ Rectified spirit 
‘elevates also a considerable share of its flavour, but leaves much 
‘the greater part concentrated in the extract.’’‘ 
Saffron is evidently the Keox: of the Greeks, Greens of the Latins, 
‘and Zaffaran, or Zahafaran, of the Arabians. It was held in much 
estimation by the Hebrews, who called it Carcom, and was greatly 
celebrated in ancient times both by physicians and poets. Asa 
‘medicine, Saffron was considered to be very powerful. Schroder 
asserts, that if taken to the quantity of two or three drams, it 
proves fatal ; and by several authors we are informed, that in large 
doses it produced cephalalgia, intoxication, and mania." We are 
© For a full account of the cultivation and management of Saffron, see > pie 
* in Phil. Trans. vol. 35. p. 566. And Miller’s Dict. 
4 Lewis, M. M. p. 258. 
© Ibid. f Ibid. 
* See especially | Lacut. Lusit. apud Friec. de venen. ?. "394. 
No. 53.—vo1. 4. 94 
