CHONDODENDRON CISSAMPELOS PAREIRA. 



389 



The root of Chondodendron cannot be confounded with the 

 stem, which is woody and fibrous and of a different structure. 

 Geoffrey's description of the former, which I have translated at 

 page 385 is correct so far as it goes. I may add that the numer- 

 ous specimens I have seen present -but little variation. All are 

 portions of a tortuous, branching root, wrinkled longitudinally 

 and having transverse fissures, constrictions, or ridges. The 

 root is externally of a blackish-brown, and light yellowish- 

 brown within. In Mr. Francis's drug there are young roots 

 having the remnants of green aerial stems rising from their 

 upper part. In Mr. Peckolt's specimen the aerial stems are 

 fully preserved, as thick as the finger and many feet in length. 

 The root seems to be gorged with juices, so that under the 

 penknife it cuts more like a very hard fat or wax than as a 

 fibious wood. In transverse section it does not display zones of 

 the same regular and beautiful definition that one sees in ordinary 

 Pareira Brava. In the root of Chondodendron there is a large 

 well-marked central column composed of wedges diverging 

 from a common axis,, around which are arranged a few concentric 

 rings intersected by wedge-shaped rays which are often irregu- 

 lar, scattered, and indistinct. The axis is not often eccentric. 



In Cissampelos Pareira the root and stem are nearly alike 

 in structure, and in transverse section show no concen- 

 tric rings. Those received from Jamaica, 

 which were the largest that could be collected, 

 were rarely so much as an inch in diameter, 

 and in many localities it is difficult to obtain 

 the stem or root thicker than a goose quill. 



The Pareira Brava of English commerce is 

 mostly of larger size than the root of Chondoden- 

 dron, and is a much more woody substance. Its S^S^oSf^SJ 



. , , , . , . p . . . Pareira, L. From a 



internal structure, which is familiar to most Jamaica specimen, 

 druggists, is very remarkable, consisting of a 

 series of layers which are often developed exclusively in one 

 direction. Nothing is known of the botanical origin of this 

 drug beyond the fact that the structure of the wood is that of 

 the order Menispermacece. -Of late years even this sort has 



1873. 



Description 

 of the root of 

 Chondoden- 

 dron. 



Cissampelos 

 Pareirce. 



Commercial 

 Pareira Brava 



