SPIKENAED. 



( Valerian Jatamansi.) 

 VALERIANACEJE. Nardostacliys Jatamansi. 



IE ancients were acquainted with several aromatic roots 

 bearing the name nardus, and distinguished, according 

 to the country whence the root was obtained, by the 

 name Indica, Celtica, or Montana. The general name 

 &quot;valerian&quot; was given to the family or order under which 

 this plant was classed. The Indica was the variety brought 

 from Bengal in India, the Celtica from the Alps, and the mon- 

 tana from other mountain regions of Europe. The Indian 

 specimen is the kind called Jatamansi. It rises from the ground 

 like a hairy spike of bearded wheat, hence called spikenard. 

 The drug is a small root, two or three inches in length, attached 

 to a tuft of light-brown, slender fibres, having a bitter and 

 aromatic taste but an agreeable odor. We are indebted to Sir 

 William Jones for the identification of the names &quot; spikenard&quot; 

 and &quot;Jatamansi,&quot; (which means a lock of hair,) the name 

 given to the plant by the Hindoo and Mussulman physicians, 

 and that by which it is sold in the shops. His opinion appeared 

 in the &quot;Asiatic Researches,&quot; vol. iv. p. 117, as follows: 



&quot; I am persuaded that the true nard is a species of valerian 

 produced in the most remote and hilly parts of India, such ae 



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