18 ODOROGRAPHIA. 
Indian “Nard” or root of Nardostachys Jatamansi (the true 
“ Spikenard’’) ; but when or why it was first applied to this root 
remains an unsolved problem (the word ‘‘ Sumbul ” appears to be 
an incomplete name, or rather an abbreviated name). It is known, 
however, that the Sumbul was first introduced (imported as a 
drug) into Russia about the year 1835, as a substitute for musk 
(which was at that time recommended as a remedy for cholera); 
it began to be known in Germany about 1840, and in England ten 
years later. It was admitted into the English pharmacopeeia in 
1867. The root, as we know it in commerce, is usually cut 
transversely into slices of from 3 to 5 centimetres, and sometimes 
12 centimetres, in length, by about 3 or more centimetres in 
thickness, sometimes mixed with small inferior shoots not thicker 
than a goose-quill. It is covered with a dark papyraceous bark. 
The internal surface of the slices is pale brown, marbled with white 
streaks ; examined with a glass, an exudation of a large number of 
resinous drops is noticeable, especially near the circumference. 
The internal structure has a spongy, fibrous, farinaceous aspect. 
It exhales an agreeable odour of musk, and possesses an aromatic, 
bitter taste. Prof. Fliickiger remarks that the Indian Sumbul 
root mentioned by Pereira is unknown to him, and that the root 
imported from China mentioned in Pereira’s ‘ Materia Medica’ 
appears to be quite a different root to Sumbul; a fact confirmed 
by Dr. Dymock of Bombay, who states that in China the root of 
Dorema Ammoniacum is perfumed with musk and sent to Europe as 
Sumbul. Microscopically examined, the internal structure of 
Sumbul root is very irregularly formed of wood and medullary rays, 
and the bark consists of a soft spongy parenchyma. The ana- 
tomical structure of the root becomes very apparent when a thin 
slice is moistened with a solution of iodine, the medullary rays 
acquiring an intense blue colour by reason of the starch contained 
in them. The irregularity of the structure resembles that of 
rhubarb root, but this last has not the large resinous cavities 
observable in Sumbul root and in many other umbelliferous 
plants. Sumbul root contains about 9 per cent. of soft balsamic 
resin, soluble in ether, and a small proportion of volatile oil (about 
03 per cent.). When the resin is brought into contact with 
water it develops a musky odour. A solution of potash is said to 
convert this resin into a salt of potassium and sumbulamic acid, 
smelling very strongly of musk. 
