SUBTERRANEAN ORGANS 



roots, which in many cases they closely resemble, by the following 

 characters : 



(i) They bear more or less evident cataphyllary leaves in the 



axils of which buds are present. 



(ii) In many instances they exhibit a more or less evident pith, 

 though frequently this is not easily discernible in organs 

 as old as these are when collected. 



(iii) The transverse section exhibits under the microscope leaf- 

 traces in the cortex. 



Bulbs may be regarded as subterranean buds, modified by the 

 enlargement of the leaves to receive reserve material. 



Corms are also modified buds, the basal stem portion of which 

 serves as a reserve organ. 



Roots may be distinguished from rhizomes 



(i) By the absence of cataphyllary leaves (or their scars) and of 



buds. 



(ii) By the absence of pith, 

 (iji) By the absence of leaf traces in the cortex. 



The treatment that these organs receive after their removal from 

 the ground varies with their nature. Small and slender rhizomes 

 and roots are usually dried entire ; larger ones are often peeled, cut, 

 or sliced in various ways to facilitate rapid drying. In some cases 

 slow drying is preferred in order to induce certain changes resulting 

 in the production of aromatic or other bodies (e.g. valerian, gentian, 

 orris). 



HYDRASTIS RHIZOME 

 (Golden Seal Rhizome, Rhizoma Hydrastis) 



Source, &C. Golden seal, Hydrastis canadensis, Linne (N.O. Eanun- 

 culacece), is a small herbaceous plant with perennial rhizome, widely 

 distributed in woods in Canada and the eastern United States, 

 being collected in Ohio, Minnesota, West Ontario, Georgia, and 

 Missouri. It has been successfully cultivated in Europe (Holland, 

 Switzerland). The plant produces but a single leaf, or two leaves 

 and a single flower. The rhizomes are collected in the autumn after 

 the leaves have withered ; as the stems persist for some time to ripen 

 the fruits, the remains of them are frequently found attached to the 

 drug. The introduction of the drug into American and European 

 medicine has been of very recent date, although its yellow colour had 

 long attracted attention. 



Description The drug consists of small yellowish brown rhizomes 

 varying from 1 to 4 cm. in length and averaging about 5 mm. in thick- 



