4 AGAR-AGAR AGARIC. 



AQAR-AQAR. Gelldium Amansli, Kutz. 



(And other species.) N.O. Alga. 



Syn. Japanese Isinglass. 



Action Nutritive. The commercial varieties are 

 used in bacteriological investigations, and for technical 

 purposes in sizing silks and fabrics. 



One ounce to 20 ounces of boiling water makes a 

 suitable jelly for invalids, &c. This may be flavoured 

 with lemon or as desired. The powdered Agar in doses 

 of i dram given with stewed fruits is recommended for 

 constipation. 



Distinctive character In slender, shrivelled, trans- 

 lucent slips about inch wide and 9 or 10 or more inches 

 long, or in quadrangular sticks about an inch in dia- 

 meter ; colourless and tasteless. Capable of taking up 

 200 times its volume of water to form a jelly. 



Acetic, hydrochloric, and oxalic acids prevent its 

 gelatinisation. 



AGARIC. Polyporus offlcinalis, Fries. 



N.O. Fungi. 



Syn. Boletus lands, Jacq. White Agaric, Larch 

 Agaric, Purging Agaric. 



Action Astringent, purgative. Used in small doses 

 to check night-sweats, diarrhoea, and milk secretion 

 after weaning. In large doses it acts as a purgative. 

 Dose, 3-60 grains. 



Distinctive character In white, spongy, friable 

 masses, sometimes with the lower portion attached 

 having a porous surface of fine tubes, and a brown 

 ringed skin on the upper surface. Taste, sweetish, then 

 bitter and acrid. The powder shows typical threads 

 and minute calcareous concretions. 



