i86 



BERBERIDACE.E 



rather thick bark, and from sixteen to thirty vascular bundles 

 encircling a broad pith; the parenchyma contains chiefly starch. 

 Odor faint and characteristic; taste sweetish, slightly acrid, and 

 quite bitter. 

 Powder. Characteristic elements: See Part iv, Chap. I, B. 



FIG. 89. Podophyllum. Cross-section of rhizome. (15 diam.) A, Vascular bundle* B, 

 Parenchyma offcortex. C, Medulla. (Photomicrograph.) 



A B 



PIG. 90. Podophyllum. Cross-section of rootlet. (25 diam.) A, Cortex. B, Xylem. 



(Photomicrograph.) 



Preparation of Podophyllin. Composed of several resinous principlestsepa- 

 rable by solvents. Ether dissolves out a resin of bright yellow color, leaving 

 a brown, odorless resin of little more prompt activity. A concentrated tincture 

 is precipitated by water containing HC1. The precipitate is collected and dried. 



Podophyllin is not found to any extent in the fresh drug, according to Loh- 

 man. It is developed to the fullest extent only by storage. 



