372 



SUBTERRANEAN ORGANS 



Virginian snakeroot, which appears to be seldom imported, differs 

 from the foregoing in having a shorter and thinner rhizome and thinner 

 wiry, interlacing roots forming little matted masses, but resembles it 

 in colour, odour, and taste. 



The student should observe 



(a) The slender rhizome with portions of the stem arising from the 



upper surface in close succession, 



(b) The eccentric position of the pith, 



(c) The very characteristic odour and taste ; 



and should compare the two varieties with one another, noting the 



differences alluded to. He should 



A n^^^S-^^^v? further compare the Texan variety 



with 



(i) Small specimens of valerian 

 root, which possess a short 

 erect rhizome from which a 

 single stem arises and which 

 has a very different odour 

 and taste. 



(ii) The rhizome of Indian pink, 

 which is darker and has 

 neither the eccentric pith, 

 the odour, nor taste that 

 characterise serpentary. 



FIG. 197. Serpentary rhizome. A, 

 longitudinal section of rhizome 

 and roots : tc, remains of aerial 

 stems ; rd, roots ; rh, rhizome. 

 B, transverse section of rhizome, 

 magnified 3 diam. (Berg.) 



is probably identical with 



Constituents. Serpentary rhizome 

 contains volatile oil (about 1 per 

 cent.), tannin, and a bitter principle, 

 apparently an alkaloid, crystallising 

 in light yellow needles. The latter 

 Chevalier and Fenuelle's amorphous 



aristolochine, and with the aristolochine isolated by Hesse from 

 A. argentina, Grisebach. 



Uses. Serpentary possesses local and general stimulant and tonic 

 properties closely resembling those of valerian and cascarilla. It is 

 occasionally used in nervous, despondent, and excitable conditions, 

 as well as in low fevers and febrile states. 



SASSAFRAS ROOT 



(Radix Sassafras) 



Source, &C. The sassafras, Sassafras officinale, T. Nees andEbermayer 

 (N.O. Laurinece), is a tree of medium size, widely distributed over the 

 eastern United States, extending from Canada southwards to Florida. 



