104 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. 



patli," " zarza," " zarzaparriJla de Tulancingo," " zarzaparrilla de la sierra." 

 " mecapatli " (Ramirez). 



The species of Smilax whicli furnisti the sarsaparilla of commerce are very 

 imperfectly known, but this species is believed to be one of the chief sources of 

 the drug. The Nueva Farmacopea Mexicana states that this is the only species 

 of Eastern Mexico whose rhizomes are employed metlicinally. and Smilax 

 medica is one of the official sources of sarsaparilla according to the U. S. Phar- 

 macopoea. Not much dependence can be placed upon either of these state- 

 ments, however, because the species are poorly known, and the rhizomes 

 have not been associated with botanical specimens of the plants which produce 

 them. 



The rhizomes are dug at any time of the year and dried in the sun. They 

 contain a crystalline principle, parillin, upon which their virtues depend. This 

 has sudorific and stimulant properties. Sarsaparilla was introduced into Spain 

 about 1540. and was widely used as a remedy for venereal diseases. It is still 

 employed for the same purpose, and for rheumatism, scrofulous diseases, and 

 some cutaneous affections. It is widely employed also for flavoring beverages. 

 Large amounts of sarsaparilla have been and still are exported from Mexico. 

 It is said that the rhizomej of a fern, known as " zarzaparilla de Tierra 

 Caliente," is sometimes xised as an adulterant. 



12. Smilax bona-nox L. Sp. PI. 1030. 1753. 

 Veracruz. Eastern United States; West Indies. 



Stems angulate, prickly or unarmed ; leaves lanceolate to broadly deltoid- 

 ovate, 3 to 10 cm. long, sometimes lobate, 5 to 9-nerved, acute, often denticulate. 

 "Mecapatli, zarzaparrilla" (Ramirez). 



13. Smilax cordifolia Humb. & Bonpl. ; Willd. Sp. PI. 4: 778. 1806. 

 ? Smilax acutifolia Schlecht. Linnaea 18: 449. 1844. 



? Smilax invenusta Kunth, Enum. PI. 5: 234. 1850. 



Smilax schiedeana Kunth, Enum. PI. 5: 236. 1850. 



Veracruz and Tabasco to Oaxaca and Colima ; type from Jalapa, Veracruz. 



Stems subterete or angulate, unarmed or sparsely prickly ; leaves ovate or 

 rounded-ovate, 6 to 12 cm. long, acute or acuminate, 5 to 9-nerved, usually more 

 or less cordate at the base. " Cocolmecan," " cozolm^catl," "olcacatzin " (Vera- 

 cruz, Ramirez) ; " pacas " (Tarascan, Herrera) ; " cocolmeca," "ralz de china" 

 (Ramirez) ; " mooga " (OtomI, Ramirez). 



This species has been reported from Mexico as S. pseudocMna L. It is said to 

 be used in medicine like S. medica. 



DOUBTFUL SPECIES. 



Smilax aristolochiaefolia Mill. Gard. Diet. ed. 8. Smilax no. 7. 1768. 

 Smilax milleri Steud. Norn. Bot. ed. 2. 2: 599. 1841. Described from Veracruz. 



Smilax botteri A. DC. in DC. Monogr. Phan. 1: 89. 1878. Described from 

 Veracruz. Perhaps the same as /Si. cordifolia. 



Smilax cognata Kunth. Enum. PI. 5: 175. 1850. Described from Mexico, but 

 probably rather a native of Brazil. 



Smilax glaucocabpos Schlecht. Linnaea 18: 450. 1844. Described from Ha- 

 cienda del Carmen and Mineral del Monte. Related, according to De Candolle. 

 to /S. mexicana or /S. moranensis. 



Smilax havanensis Jacq. Enum. PI. Carib. 33. 1760. Native of the West 

 Indies ; reported from Mexico by De Candolle, perhaps erroneously. 



Smilax multifloba Mart. & Gal. Bull. Acad. Brux. 9*: 390. 1842. Described 

 from Chinantla, Oaxaca. 



Smilax spinosa Mill. Gard. Diet. ed. 8. Smilax no. 8. 1768. Described froip 

 Veracruz. 



