482 



BOTANY AND PHARMACOGNOSY. 



drug contains 0.2 to 0.5 per cent, of B-methyl-sesculetin (gelsemic 

 acid), which also occurs in scopola and other plants, and which 

 gives with solutions of the alkalies, a bluish fluorescence; 0.5 

 per cent, of a volatile oil; about 4 per cent, of resins, one 

 of which is acrid ; starch ; and calcium oxalate in the form of 

 monoclinic prisms. 



Fig. 208a. Transverse section of gelsemium near the cambium: P, parenchyma; S, 

 sieve; C, cambium; Ca, calcium oxalate crystals; SK, SF, wood fibers; T, trachea;; MR, 

 medullaiy rays. 



BERBERIS. OREGON GRAPE-ROOT. The rhizome 

 and roots of Berberis Aquifolium (Fam. Berberidace?e), a low 

 trailing shrub (p. 272), which is indigenous to the Rocky 

 Mountain region of the United States, extending into British 

 Columbia and as far east as Nebraska. 



Description.^ Tn cylindrical pieces which vary from 8 to 12 

 cm. long and 1.5 to 3.5 cm. in diameter; externally pale yellowish- 

 brown to dark vellowish-brown. longitudinally wrinkled, with few 

 root branches and occasionally rootlets; hard and tough. Inter- 

 nally, bark dark brown, less than i mm. thick and rather soft; 



