CLASSIFICATION OF ANGIOSPERMS. 399 



from belladonna root (Fig. 200), which has been sometimes sub- 

 stituted for it, by the latter having a characteristic odor and 

 taste and containing starch (p. 463) (Fig. 182). 



Inula contains about 44 per cent, of inulin, which on hydro- 

 lysis yields levulose, which latter replaces inulin in the roots gath- 

 ered in spring. From i to 2 per cent, of a crystalline substance 

 is obtained by distillation with water, which consists of a color- 

 less, crystalline principle, alantolactone, that is insoluble in sodium 

 carbonate solution, and alantolic acid, which crystallizes in fine 

 needles, is soluble in sodium carbonate solution and is largely 

 decomposed on heating with water. The drug also contains hele- 

 nin, which crystallizes in 4-sided prisms and is not affected by 

 ordinary reagents ; and alantol, a yellowish liquid isomeric with 

 common camphor and apparently occurring only in the fresh root. 



The root of Polymnia Uvedalia, a plant closely related to 

 Inula, but indigenous to the United States east of the Mississippi, 

 contains a volatile oil, a glucoside, tannin, and a resinous sub- 

 stance consisting of two resins, one of which is pale yellow and 

 soft, the other dark brown and hard. 



The following Compositse, while not of very great importance, 

 are used in some localities : 



Yarrow {Achillea Millefolium) is a common weed naturalized 

 from Europe and Asia, and contains about o.i per cent, of a dark 

 blue volatile oil with a strongly aromatic odor and a small amount 

 of a bitter alkaloid, achilleine. The roots of yarrow, on the other 

 hand, yield a volatile oil with a valerian-like odor. Achillea 

 nobilis of Europe contains an oil resembling that of yarrow, but 

 it is of finer quality and has a spice-like taste. Achillea moschata, 

 an alpine plant of Europe, yields three alkaloids and a volatile 

 oil containing cineol, and is used in Italy in the preparation of 

 the liquor, " Esprit d' Iva." Achillea tanacetifolia yields a blue 

 volatile oil having the odor of tansy. 



The High Golden-rod (Solidago canadensis) yields 0.63 per 

 cent, of a volatile oil, consisting chiefly of pinene. with some phel- 

 landrene and dipentene, and containing about 9 per cent, of 

 borneol, 3 per cent, of bornyl acetate and some cadinene. The 

 True or Anise-scented Golden-rod (Solidago odorata) yields 

 an aromatic volatile oil and a small amount of tannin. 



