GAMOPETAL^E-III 



140 



by its members of a corolla which has only a hulye at 

 its base instead of a spur (fig. 94). The spur is char- 

 acteristic of another genus of this order which has no 

 medicinal importance. The Great Wild Valerian stands 

 3 to 4 feet from the ground, has pink flowers aud 

 pinnate leaves (fig. 95). It is very common in England 

 in moist situations, and a part of the drug used in com- 

 merce comes from the rhizomes of plants grown in 

 Derbyshire; a large proportion was, however, imported 



Yi>^. 94.— Corolla of 

 Great Wild Valerian 



Fig. 95.— Pinnate Leaves of Great 



Wild Valerian 



from Holland, Germany, and France. In January, 1914, 

 the foreign root was selling at HOs. a cwt., the English 

 root being worth three or four times that sum. Of late 

 years the'cultivation of the English herb has gone down 

 owing to foreign competition, so that at the present time 

 there" is a great scarcity, and for some time to come 

 abnormal prices are likely to be paid. We use about 

 10 tons annually, and of this about a tenth is grown in 

 this country. When in addition it is stated that the 

 Valerian is an indispensable plant, it will readily be seen 

 that cogent reasons exist for its rene^ved cultivation in 

 this country. The Jap Valerian has lately come into 

 the market at aljout 200s. a cwt. 



( C 9Cj ) 



s 



