ON A SUBSTANCE KNOWN AS ' AUSTRALIAN CAOUTCHOUC.” 103 
rate and observant Roxburgh had remarked that the root of his plant was 
* not to be distinguished by the eye from the medicinal drug brought from 
China under the name of China root”;* and he adds that a decoction of it 
is used by the natives en Silhet for the cure of sores and venereal complaints 
Amongst other Chinese names for the plant is oue signifying fimus 
aprugnus, In this ns other species, the numerous pedicels of the umbel - 
are surrounded at — base by dark-coloured linear bracteole, much like 
the paleze of Fern 
The unanimous dii strong belief entertained by the pa of every 
country, both of we: veh and Ne w World, where the genus Smilax occurs, 
according to Dr. Christison,} a a majority « of the pro ession —who distrast 
or disbelieve the therapeutic valu ue of sarsaparilla, or “ ascribe its supposed 
effects to the care bestowed on the somos and “ahd of the patient." 
r. Seemann has recently|| bs regen certain species of Smilax as the 
dis 
quite unable to concur, for he himself admits the stamens in his P i 
smilax to vary from 12 to 18, and I besides think the genus as ordinarily 
admitted far more natural than if split bag three, distinguished by a single 
character, and that only a numerical one. But the form and proportions 
the perigone-segments ots the dinh, and the number of the latter, 
differ a good deal; and a careful examination of the whole species known 
Mee terme lead to the establishing of several very distinct and na- 
tura and will, it is oce cte pectus undertaken by some 
competent rete Mun Kunth's monograph is executed in a most per- 
unctory manner, nor do the two ue admitted by Grisebach seem 
thoroughly natural «oif satisfactory. 
ON A SUBSTANCE KNOWN AS “AUSTRALIAN. CXOUT- 
CHOUC." 
By W. T. Tuisetron Dyer, B.A., B.Sc., F.L.S. 
A peculiar india-rubber-like material has lately been sent to this coun- 
try, the history and origin of which seem likely to become matters of as 
great controversy as the true nature of the Torbane Hill In 
appearance it consists of sheet-like masses, somewhat ve than an inch in 
thickness, and with more or less scattered sand-grains mirise to their 
surface. It occurs ata place called Coorong, whence it is brought to 
Adelaide. The country in the neighbourhood is deseribed as consisting 
of limestone ridges and serub without grass. The Coorongite, as it has 
oureiro, FI. 
Dispensatory, 827. 
i rt and Headland, Man. Mat. Med. ed. 4, 645. 
ourn. Bot. VI. 193, 257. 
