133 



542. SMILAX BRASILIENSIS, Griteb. 



a. Rhizome. (Brazilian China Root, Juapecanga, Japi- 



canga, Inhapecanga, Raiz de China branca.) 



Note. Brazilian China root is probably obtained from several species 



of Smilax. See Per. Mat. Med., vol. ii., pt. i., p. 296 ; P. J. [8] , vol. v., 



p. 985. For fig. of the root, see Goebel und Kunze, pt. ii., taf. xviii., fig. 2. 



This specimen came from Bio Janeiro, and was presented by Mr. Simkin. 



543. SMILAX CHINA, L. 



a. Rhizome. (China Root.) 



Note. This rhizome is used in the East for syphilis. It is said to pos- 

 sess alterative and sudorific properties. See Pharmacographia, p. 648. 

 China root has been confounded with the curious fungus Pachyma Cocoa, 

 which latter may be distinguished by containing no starch. See P. J. 

 [3], vol. iii., p. 762; Porter Smith, Mat. Med. China, p. 198, art. Smilax. 

 For fig. see Goebel und Kunze, pt. ii., taf. xviii., fig. 1. 



544. SMILAX PSEUDO-CHINA, L. 



a. Rhizome. (American China Root.) 

 Note. This specimen was presented by Mr. Roberts. 



545. SMILAX SPECIBS. 



a. Caraccas sarsaparilla, or gouty Vera Cruz sarsaparilla. 



Note. This kind is figured in Per. Mat. Med., vol. ii., pt. i., p. 277, 

 fig. 137. According to Prof. Bentley, it is distinguished by the pith 

 being from 2 to 4 times the breadth of the woody layer, with the cells 

 of the nucleus sheath elongated radially, their walls being thicker on 

 the inner than on the outer side. It is of a pale brown colour, thick 

 and swollen, and has the chump or rootstock attached. It is a starchy 

 sarsaparilla. It is not now found in commerce. For micr. sect., see 

 Berg, Anat. Atlas., taf. 10, fig. 12. 



6. Brazilian, Lisbon, or Para sarsaparilla. 



Note. This specimen is figured in Per. Mat. Med,, vol. ii., pt. i., 

 p. 278. The roots are deprived of the chump, and are slender, wiry, not 

 deeply furrowed, with a thin brown cortical portion, and are starchy. It 

 is probably the root of S. papyracea, Pair. Pharmacographia, p. 641. 

 For fig. see P. J. [1], vol. xii., pp. 470, 472. It is not now met with in 

 commerce. For micr. section, see Berg, Anat. Atlas, taf. iv. fig. 13. 



c. Lisbon sarsaparilla. 



Note. This specimen was presented by Messrs. Herring & Co. It is 

 paler than specimen b, scarcely furrowed, and has a white mealy cortical 

 portion. It has a distinct acrid taste, with a slight bitterness, and ap- 

 pears to belong to the same species as the Honduras rather than to the 

 Brazilian. 



d. Honduras sarsaparilla. One large bundle. 



e. Ditto. Five smaller bundles. 

 /. Ditto. Two short bundles. 



Note. Specimen d and one of specimen e are figured in Per. Mat. Med. 

 vol. ii., pt. i., p. 279, figs. 139, 140. It is distinguished from the Jauioici 

 variety by its pale mealy cortical portion, which has a somewhat acrid 

 taste. The cells of the nucleus sheath are square or elongated tan- 

 gentially, and are equally thick on all four sides. See 1. c., fig. 134. It 

 is a starchy sarsaparilla. See also Berg, Anat. Atlas, taf. iv., fig. 11. 



