1896 THE MICROSCOPE. 11 



SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



A New Adulteration of Senega Root. — In the early part 

 of 1894, Ad. Andree of Hanover drew attention to an inter- 

 esting- adulteration found in seneg-a root imported from 

 New York, the drug^ containing- 25 per cent of foreig^n root 

 which he referred to as Richardsonia scabra. The struc- 

 ture of the drug-, however, showed this identification to be 

 Incorrect ; the starch in the two roots differed in character, 

 and in the Richardsonia the oxalate of calcium assumed the 

 form of raphides, while in the adulteration referred to it 

 was present as cluster crystals. C. Hartwich, Archiv. der 

 Pkarm.^ believes the root to be that of Triosteum perfoli- 

 atum, L., Caprifoliacese, which has recently appeared as 

 ipecacuanha. Externally the roots showed the greatest 

 similarity, and the histolog-ical and chemical examination 

 proved their identit3^ 



Triosteum perfoliatum is indig-enous to the eastern and 

 southeastern United States, and therefore mig-ht easily be 

 collected with seneg-a, althoug-h the two plants eire very dif- 

 ferent in appearance. Triosteum is a shrub with a thick 

 knotty rhizome, from which arise several stems reaching- 

 nearly 3 feet in heig-ht; it is known in America as tinker's 

 weed, bastard ipecac, etc., and is used somewhat exten- 

 sively as an antipyretic, purg-ative and emetic. 



The drug- consists of a yellowish brown or dark brown 

 bent, knotty rhizome, to the sides and under surface of 

 which are attached numerous roots, g-enerally not over Y^ 

 ccm. thick, and often much thinner; these are lig-hter in 

 color than the root stock, show here and there transverse 

 fissures and resemble many varieties of false ipe- 

 cacuanha, especially Richardsonia. In general appearance 

 it is so like seneg-a that its presence seems to have been 

 overlooked; it differs, however, in the absence of a keel. 



The structure of the root is very charcteristic. A trans- 

 verse section exhibits a radiate wood without pith 

 and a cortex, in which a narrow pale outer portion can be 

 disting-uished from a darker inner part. Next to the cork 



