174 HEMIDESMUS INDICUS 



acridity. A transverse section shows that the root is composed 

 of a thin cortical portion, which is of a corky texture, somewhat 

 mealy, and commonly of a white or brownish colour; and a 

 yellowish woody centre (meditullium), which is separated from 

 the cortical portion by a narrow dark wavy ring, representing the 

 cambium layer. 



The root as found in commerce is frequently of bad quality, 

 and in many cases has portions of the aerial stems attached; 

 these are almost tasteless and inodorous, and inferior in properties 

 to the root. Waring says that the fresher the root the greater 

 is its efficacy. 



No satisfactory chemical examination of hemidesmus root has 

 as yet been made. Its properties are said to depend upon a 

 volatile oil and a peculiar crystallisable principle called hemides- 

 mine ; but according to Christison and Dr. Scott, of Madras, the 

 latter substance is only a stearoptene. 



Medical Properties and Uses. In India it is regarded as pos- 

 sessing similar properties to sarsaparilla, and is employed as a 

 substitute for that substance, as an alterative, tonic, diuretic, and 

 diaphoretic. Waring, in the Pharmacopoeia of India, speaks highly 

 of its value, more especially of that of the fresh root ; but in 

 this country and in the United States of America it is but little 

 esteemed. 



Per. Mat. Med., by B. & R., p. 660; Pharmacographia, p. 379; 

 U. S. Disp., by W. & B., p. 451 ; Pharmacopoeia of India, 

 pp. 140 and 457. 



DESCRIPTION OF PLATE. 



Drawn from specimens in the Britisl] Museum, collected at Tranquebar 

 and Ceylon. 1. A young flowering stem. 2. Portion of another branch, with 

 fruit. 3. A single flower. 4. Base of corolla, showing the androecium. 

 5. Summit of the androecium, showing the united anther-processes. 6. Calyx 

 and pistil (the ovaries and styles should have been shown to be separated). 

 7. Anther in the bud. 8. Hooded appendix, containing the pollen masses. 

 9. The same expanded. 10. A seed. (3-6 enlarged ; 7-9 after Delessert.) 



