i8 



allowance for difference of moisture. The other constituents 

 reported at that time need not claim our attention at present, 

 further than to notice a considerable amount of starch — 

 18 per cent. 



Previous to this publication by the Government, Mr. 

 Rudolph Vcalcker, of Galveston, published an analysis of roots 

 gathered in July, 1874. He found 23' 16 per cent, tannin, and 

 proved the presence of crysophanic acid and aporetin. He was 

 not aware of the botanical origin of the plant, but supposed it 

 to belong to the natural order Polygonaceae. 



In 1879, Mr. William Saunders, in his report on Canaigre, 

 stated it was the Bumex hymenosepalum of Torrey, and 

 furnished a lithographic plate of the plant in bloom. 



At the New Orleans Exposition, 1885-6, in one corner of 

 the section devoted to products from New Mexico were some of 

 these roots, above which was the inscription, " A new tanning 

 material." As will be shown later, this exhibit, insignificent as 

 it appeared, attracted the attention of at least one person. 



In 1886, a sample of a root sent to me from San Antonia, 

 Texas, under the name of " Indian Root," was analysed, and the 

 results published under the title of " Yerba del Indio," from 

 the impression that it was the Aristolochia fcetida of the 

 Mexican Pharmacopoeia. This impression, however, was cor- 

 rected by Professor J. M. Maisch, in the same issue, page 115.* 

 He suggested, and it has since been found to be correct, that 

 this " Rauz del Indio " was the Canaigre root. That analysis 

 fixed the amount of tannin at 11-66 per cent., but it was found 

 that the root, which was not analysed as soon as received, had 

 commenced to decay, and, later, it was completely riddled by 

 insects. In this respect my experience differed from that of 

 the Government chemist, who found no change after ten years. 

 Soon after the New Orleans Exposition, samples of two ior 

 three hundred pounds were sent to Chicago for experiments in 

 a number of tanneries there. Mr. E. C. Denig, of that city, has 

 devoted much time since then to studying this material, from 

 its source in Texas and New Mexico to its application in the 

 tanning of hides. 



Canaigre consists of heavy globular and fusiform pieces 

 from two to six inches long and one to three inches in diameter. 

 Externally it is of a dark-reddish colour, becoming, by age, 

 almost black ; internally it is from a bright to a brownish- 

 yellow, according to age and amount of exposure to atmosphere, 

 When collected, the roots consist of clusters resembling sweet 

 potatos. They are found near the surface, or sometimes on 

 top of the ground, are rapidly dried, and, at a certain age, 

 cut into small pieces. If allowed to get very dry, they become 



* " American Journal of Pharmaey," 1886. 



