NON-POISONOUS DRUGS 



175 



much too much." The opposite effect upon us of the same 

 substance according as it acts in larger or smaller amount is 

 well illustrated also in very many perfumes, and, as we shall 



Fig. 168, I. — Asafetida Plant (Ferula assa-fa'tida, Parsley Family, Uni- 

 bellifera;). Plant in flower, and part of leaf. (Baillon.) — Perennial 

 herb growing about 2-3 m. tall, with a milky juice of fetid odor; 

 leaves bluish green; flowers pale yellow; fruit reddish brown. Native 

 home. Southwestern Asia. 



more fully show, in a large proportion of medicines. Saffron 

 consists of the dried stigmas of the saffron crocus (Fig. 168 II). 

 It contains about 7% of a volatile oil of agreeable flavor, 

 and a small amount of a deep yellow coloring matter which 



