386 SUBTERRANEAN ORGANS 



dermis and exodermis, which in certain cases constitute a most valuable 

 means of identifying and distinguishing these drugs. 



3. Guayaquil Sarsaparilla is imported in rectangular pressed bales 

 containing a number of flattish bundles about 50 cm. long and 15 cm. 

 wide, containing the knotty rhizome and portions of the stout, round 

 aerial stems. Sometimes the root is imported loose in bales. It has 

 a mahogany brown colour, is usually larger than the Jamaica, not so 

 much furrowed and with less numerous rootlets. 



4. Vera Cruz or Mexican Sarsaparilla is obtained from S. medica, 

 Schlechtendal et Chamisso. Both rhizome and roots are collected 

 and dried, the drug not being made up into bales. It consists of a 

 number of rhizomes, to each of which are attached numerous, straight 

 dull greyish brown, shrunken roots, laid together. Latterly the roots 

 deprived of the rhizomes have been exported. Like Lima sarsaparilla 

 the variety is well characterised by the form of the cells of the endo- 

 dermis and exodermis. 



FIG. 209. Bundle of Vera Cruz Sarsaparilla. (Pereira. ) 



5. Native Jamaica /Sarsaparilla is obtained from plants presumably 

 of $. officinalis, Humboldt, Bonpland et Kunth, cultivated on the 

 island of Jamaica. This truly Jamaican sarsaparilla, commercially 

 known as * native ' Jamaica, must be carefully distinguished from 

 the ordinary Jamaica (or, better, Costa Rica) sarsaparilla. It arrives 

 packed loose in bales, and is of a pale reddish or greyish brown colour. 

 The root bears scattered, rather stout rootlets, and exhibits in transverse 

 section a pale cortex separated by a distinct line from a rather darker 

 stele. These characters sufficiently distinguish ' native ' Jamaica 

 sarsaparilla from the Costa Rica drug. 



Substitutes. A considerable variety of roots have from time to time 

 found their way into the European markets under the name of sarsa- 

 parilla ; e.g. roots of Philodendron sp., rhizomes of Pteris sp., &c. ; 

 most are readily distinguishable from the genuine drug. 



SQUILL 



(Stilla, Bulbus Scillae, Radix Scillae) 



Source, &C. The squill, Urginea Scilla, Steinheil (N.O. Liliacece), 

 is a bulbous plant indigenous to the countries bordering on the 



