418 SCITAMINEM 



VasaJtshepay does not contain it, but consists of sandalwood, 

 saffron, muskj and Borneo camphor. Two kinds of Kapur- 

 kaclirf are found in the Bombay market, viz^^ Chinese and 

 Indian ; the latter was supposed by Eoyle to be the Sittanttee 

 or lesser Galangal of Ainslie (Mat. Ind. I., p. 140), but 

 Moidin Sheriff states that the Sittarittee of the Tamils is the 

 true lesser Galangal, which statement appears to be correct. 

 Powell informs us that the rhizome is pounded with tobacco 



in 



Description. — Indian Kdpdr-kachri occurs in slices, 

 mostly circular, but sometimes the section is made in a sloping 

 direction ; the slices are | an inch or less in diameter, and 

 vary much in thickness ; they are white and starchy, and when 

 freshly pared exhibit a faint line dividing the cortical from the 

 central portion ; the edges of each slice are covered by a rough 

 reddish-brown bark marked with numerous scars and circular 

 rings ; here and there rootlets remain attached ; the odour is 

 like that of orris root, but more powerful and strongly cam- 

 phoraceous ; the taste pungent, bitter, and aromatic. The 

 Chinese drug is a little larger than the Indian, whiter, and less 



* 



pungent; the bark is smoother and of a lighter colour. 



Microscopic structure.— The rhizome consists of a delicate 

 parenchyma, most of the cells of which are loaded with large 

 ovoid starch grains, a few contain a yellowish resin, and essen- 

 tial oil ; the epidermis is composed of several rows of compress- 

 ed, nearly empty, reddish-brown cells. From the unaltered 

 condition of the starch it appears that the rhizomes are not 

 exposed to heat. 



Chemical composition. — The dried tubers have been examined 

 by J. C. Thresh [Fharnu Jonrn. [3] XY, 361). The proximate 

 analysis gave the following results: — 



Soluble in petroleum ether — 



Ethylmethylparacoumarate 3'0 I c.q 



Fixed oil and odorous body 2'9 j 



Soluble in alcohol-— 



Indif. substance ppt. by tannin.,,, 1 ^^>j 



Acid resin, &c- •••............ .. 



