[ 443 ] 



the pra'3:ice of chewing rhubarb occafionally ; fhe reported 

 to him, that (lie found it anfwer perfetly well, and in the 

 fame dofe as that which (he had from the Ihops. I'he 

 trial which i made upon myfelf was, I laink, not quite fo 

 favourable, as it required three parts of No. 1. to produce 

 the fame effect on me, as two parts of the Turkey rhubarb 

 ufually did, though they both operated with equal eafej 

 and No. II. I think is inferior in ftrength to No. I. 



I am forry, Sir, to be obliged to fend you an account fo 

 lame and unfatisfactory, yet it is the beft that I can at pre- 

 fent furnifli. I hope you will receive more decifive intel- 

 ligence from the numerous praftitioners at Bath, and fhall 

 be glad to learn that the eftxacy of Britilh rhubarb is found 

 to be equal to that from Turkey. 



I had a rhubarb root fent me lafl: autumn, faid to be that 

 of the rheum palmatum, but was greatly difappointed by 

 feeing it, in the fpring or beginning of fummer, fhoot out 

 large, round, entire leaves, fimilar to thofe of the rhapon- 

 ticum, which I believe it to be. Can you inform me if the 

 leaves of the rheum puhnatum are digitated or palmated, the 

 very firft year after being tranfplanted ? Or may we expect 

 that thefc entire round leaves will in a fucceeding year aflume 

 a palmated form ? 



With my fincere wiflies for the profperity of the Society, 

 and for the continuance of your health, 



I remain. Sir, 



Your obedient humble fervant, 



W. CUMING. 



PORCHESTER, Au^, 14, 1784. 



LETTER 



