82 



MATERIA MEDICA. 



parts of Asia ; also cultivated in Europe. It is a perennial plant, 

 with large branching roots and numerous large petiolate leaves. 



Fig. 17. 



Fig. 18. 



Fig. 19. 



The roots, when dug up, are carefully dried, sorted, and sent to 

 market. Three varieties are recognised : 1 . Russian or Turkey 

 Rhubarb. This kind is prepared with extreme care, at a frontier 

 town between Tartary and Russia, each piece being bored down to 

 its centre to ascertain its soundness : imported from St. Petersburg. 

 The pieces are irregularly cylindrical in shape, with angular edges, 

 of a lively yellow colour externally, variegated within ; yields before 

 the knife, feels gritty to the teeth, stains the saliva, and has a bitter 

 and astringent taste : it is the most valuable. 2. Chinese Rhubarb, 

 Probably of similar origin with the other ; shipped from Canton ; 

 the pieces are smooth and powdery on the outside, appearing as if 



