COLCHICUM. 



139 



material. A few elongated stomata are sometimes seen 

 in the outer thicker-walled fragments of epidermis. 



The vessels are usually lax, and of the spiral type; 

 fragments of broken spirals are common in the powder. 



Fig. 32. — Squill in Powder. 

 Epi, Epidermal cells with stomata, below; above, cross- view 

 showing^ crystal sac; C, crystals in various stages; Sp V, spiral vessels; 

 M, mucilage cell. 



COLCHICUM. 

 Colchicum is the corm and seed of Colckicum autum- 

 nale, L., natural order LiliacecB, a native of central and 

 southern Europe, England, and North Africa. The 

 corm is most active after one year and should be gathered 

 from June to August of the second year, after the seeds 

 are ripe. 



