482 



BOTANY AND PHARMA-COGNOSY. 



drug contains 0.2 to 0.5 per cent, of B-methyl-aesculetin (gelsemic 

 acid), which also occurs in scopola and other plants, and which 

 gives with solutions of the alkalies, a bluish fluorescence; 0.5 

 per cent, of a Volatile oil; about 4 per cent, of resins, one 

 of which is acrid ; starch ; and calcium oxalate in the form of 

 monoclinic prisms. 



Fig. 208a. Transverse section of gelsemium near the cambium; P, parenchyma; S.. 

 sieve; C, cambium; Ca, calcium oxalate crystals; SK, SF, wood fibers; T, trachea; MR,, 

 medullary rays. 



BERBERIS.— OREGON GRAPE-ROOT.— The rhizome 

 and roots of Berberis Aqidfoliiim (Fam. Berberidacese), a low 

 trailing shrub (Fig. 142), which is indigenous to the Rocky 

 Mountain region of the United States, extending into British 

 Columbia and as far east as Nebraska (p. 272). 



Description. — In cylindrical pieces which vary from 8 to 12 

 cm. long and 1.5 to 3.5 cm. in diameter; externally pale yellowish- 

 brown to dark yellowish-brown, longitudinally wrinkled, with few 

 root branches and occasionally rootlets ; hard and tough. Inter- 

 nally, bark dark brown, less than i mm. thick and rather soft;; 



