SQUILL 



387 



Mediterranean, and frequently appearing in great abundance. It is 

 one of the most ancient of medicinal plants, having been well known 

 to the Greeks and Romans ; the drug was introduced into European 

 medicine by tjie Arabian physicians of the early ages. 



The plant produces a large tunicated bulb, often weighing several 

 pounds, which lies partially imbedded in the ground. Two varieties 

 are known, the white and the red ; the former is collected largely in 

 Sicily and Malta and is preferred in England, the latter is collected 

 in Algeria and is the variety used in France. The scales of the white 



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FIG. 210. Squill bulb, reduced. (Bentley and Trimen.) 



squill are whitish or yellowish, whilst those of the red variety are of a 

 dull red colour, but many intermediate forms are known. 



The roots are cut off and the external thin scales stripped off 

 until the bulb is white. Three or four incisions half an inch deep are 

 made across the base and three or four at right angles to these. The 

 bulb is then cut into transverse slices about 2 mm. thick which are 

 dried in the sun. 



Description. The commercial drug usually consists of narrow, 

 flattish, curved strips from 2 to 5 cm. in length and about 3 mm. thick. 

 They frequently taper towards both ends, are of a yellowish white 

 colour and more or less translucent. When quite dry they are brittle 

 and can easily be powdered, but they rapidly absorb moisture from 

 the air, becoming tough and flexible. They have only a slight odour, 



