SASSAFRAS 



259 



North America. The bark is collected in the early spring^ or autumn, 

 deprived of the periderm, and used either in the fresh or dried con- 

 dition. 



Description. In transversely curved or recurved, irregular, 

 oblong pieces, 3 to 8 cm. in length, 10 to 30 mm. in diameter, 0.5 

 to 3 mm. in thickness; outer surface light reddish-brown, nearly 



FIG. 117. Cinnamomum Camphora. Young plant grown in greenhouse of 

 Philadelphia College of Pharmacy from cuttings introduced into Florida 

 by U. S. Department Agriculture, Washington, D. C., many years ago. 

 The plant is an evergreen, very hardy, producing numerous aromatic roots, 

 which soon work their way through the pots, which necessitates frequent 

 transplanting. 



smooth, somewhat porous; inner surface distinctly striate, somewhat 

 scaly; fracture short, soft, surface slightly porous; odor aromatic; 

 taste somewhat mucilaginous, astringent and aromatic. 



Inner Structure. See Fig. 118. 



Powder. Light, reddish-brown; starch grains numerous, either 

 single or 2- to 4-compound, the individual grains being more or less 



