420 BOTANY AND PHARMACOGNOSY. 



chiefly to the Lepidoptera, Coleoptera and Diptera. The Lepi- 

 doptera are the most destructive, and include the cornmeal moth 

 (Tinea sea), which, during its larval (the caterpillar or grub) 

 stage, is known to attack aconite, capsicum, ergot, lappa, linseed, 

 rhubarb, taraxacum and man}- other drugs. Among the Coleop- 

 tera are various members of the Ptinedae, as Ptiniis brunneus, 

 Anobium paniceuin and Lasioderma serricorne, which attack the 

 spices chiefly, as capsicum, cinnamon and pimenta. Chief among 

 the Diptera is Trypcta arnicivora, which is sometimes found in 

 arnica flowers. 



For the destruction of these insects and prevention of their 

 attacks a number of substances and methods have been employed, 

 the simplest method of all being to expose the drug to a tempera- 

 ture of about ioo° C. This method is, however, open to objec- 

 tion, as there is liability either to decomposition or loss of active 

 principle. Camphor and tar-camphor have been employed, but 

 it is doubtful if they should be used, unless in the case of animal 

 drugs. In some instances, as with nutmeg and ginger, the drug 

 is sprinkled in the drying-room, and when packed for market, 

 with quicklime. Benzin and carbon disulphide have been pro- 

 posed, but these are of a disagreeable odor as well as inflammable. 

 Ether has been suggested, but it is ver}- volatile and inflammable. 

 Formaldehyde has been proposed for the preservation of orris 

 root. The use of chloroform as a preservative was formerly sanc- 

 tioned by the U.S. P. in the case of ergot, and is probably the best 

 preservative that has been proposed. A few drops of chloroform 

 added to' a drug on placing it in the container will usually pre- 

 vent it from becoming " wormy." Some drugs, however, as tar- 

 axacum and glycyrrhiza, may require inspection from time to 

 time and the addition of a little more chloroform. 



CoMMERCiAi, Forms of Drugs. — Vegetable drugs are brought 

 into market in various forms ; they may be crude, that is, more or 

 less entire, or in a powdered condition. Crude drugs may be 

 nearly entire, as seeds, flowers, fruits, leaves, and some roots and 

 rhizomes ; or they may be cut or sliced, as in woods, barks, many 

 roots and a few rhizomes. They may be more or less matted 

 together, as in chondrus and the solanaceous leaves ; or they may 

 be pressed together by means of hydraulic pressure, giving the 



