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No. 33 . Bundle of Brazilian or Lisbox Sarsaparilla CASE 

 as imported. This kind was formerly held in much esteem 13, 

 in England, but is now rarely seen in the London market. It 

 is packed in a manner very distinct from that adopted with 

 other kinds, namely, in cylindrical bundles three or more feet 

 in length, and about 6 inches in diameter, bound tightly 

 together by the flexible stems of a bignoniaceous plant. 



Other kinds of sarsaparilla shown are Honduras, Guayaquil, 

 Guatemala, New Grenada, and Tampico, the last-named being 

 very seldom imported ; a specimen is also shown from Fiji. 



The sarsaparillas of commerce are the roots of various 

 -•species of Smilax growing in the West Indies, South and 

 Central America, and Mexico. The determination of the 

 species affording the sarsaparillas employed in medicine is very 

 difficult. *S^. officinalis, H.B.K., is said to be the source of 

 Jamaica sarsaparilla, while S.papyracea, Poir., yields Brazilian, 

 and S. medica, Schl., Mexican sarsaparilla. 



The collection of sarsaparilla is effected by scraping 

 away the thin stratum of earth which covers the roots 

 which run horizontally under the ground ; when laid bare they 

 are cut off near the crown, a few slender roots being allowed 

 to remain to assist the plant in renewing its growth ; after 

 collecting the roots they are dried, prepared, and packed in 

 bundles for transportation. 



Sarsaparilla is commonly regarded as a tonic, alterative and 

 diuretic medicine, and is given in chronic forms of rheumatism, 

 gout, cutaneous affections, &c. It is, however, noL so much 

 used as formerly. 



Observe roots of Smilax ovalifolia, Roxb., a plant abun- 

 dant in the low jungles in the Madras and Malayan Peninsulas. 

 It has been used in India as a substitute for sarsaparilla ; but, 

 it is said, with unsatisfactory results. Dymock says, it is the 

 country sarsaparilla of the Portuguese in Goa. 



No. 34. China Eoot {Smilax China, L.). A woody 

 climbing plant of Japan, Formosa, China, Assam, Sikkim, 

 Nepal, &c. The root is imported into Europe from the 

 south of China, mostly from Canton, It was formerly much 

 used in medicine in this country, but has now fallen into complete 

 disuse. In India and China, however, it is still much esteemed 

 in rheumatic and syphilitic complaints. 



The roots of several other species of Smilax similar to 

 the above have been substituted for it, amongst them being 



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