DR THOMAS R. FRASER ON STROPHANTHUS HISPIDUS. 977 



Mr Buchanan has at various times sent me specimens of the root, stem, branches, 

 leaves, flowers, and fruit,* and has thus provided me with materials for a description of 

 the different parts of the plant. I am also indebted for specimens and for valuable infor- 

 mation to Sir John Kirk, Mr John Moir of the African Lakes Company, and Messrs 

 Burroughs and Wellcome and Messrs Christy & Co., drug merchants, London. 



Root. 



The root consists of a main portion, which is swollen and constricted at irregular 

 intervals, and of secondary roots, some of which are also swollen and marked by 

 narrow constrictions like the main root. The specimens received from Mr Buchanan 

 were preserved in spirit, and when they were compared with fresh roots taken from 

 plants growing in the Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, it was seen that they had 

 retained their original shape. They are in pieces of from 3| to 15 inches in length; 

 but, as the extremities are broken, the length of the entire root cannot be ascertained. 

 The pieces are straight or slightly curved, of a dark brown colour, and wrinkled by 

 furrows extending in the direction of the long axis of the root. The extremities of 

 the pieces are from xfths to T Vths of an inch in diameter. The swollen portions are 

 from ^ths to 2^§ths of an inch in length, and from x^ths to l^|ths of an inch in 

 diameter, and they have an irregularly oval, ovoid, or spindle shape. The portions of the 

 root occupied by the constrictions have a diameter varying from y^ths to T -^-ths of an 

 inch (Plate III. figs. 1 and 2). When sections are made through the root, it is seen that 

 the swellings or enlargements are caused by a development of the cellular rind of food- 

 storing cells, which at the constricted portions is present only as a relatively thin layer 

 surrounding the central wood cylinder (Plate III. figs. 3 and 4). In addition to the 

 constrictions or deep furrows involving the entire circumference of the root, there are 

 other transverse furrows which are less deep, and which extend along a portion only of 

 the circumference of the swollen parts of the roots (Plate III. figs. 1 and 2). 



In specimens of the dried root, of which I have received several from Sir John Kirk, 

 the masses of hypertrophied cellular-rind occur as soft, friable, and very irregularly- 

 shaped and wrinkled swellings, separated from each other in many places by intervals of 

 a quarter of an inch, where the hard cylindrical core of woody tissue is exposed. 



The microscopic structure of the root is illustrated in Plate V. fig. 1. 



* The obstacles which Mr Buchanan has had to contend with in procuring and sending specimens, owing to 

 tribal feuds and the difficulties of carriage, are illustrated in the following extracts from one of his letters : — " Your 

 letter about Strophanthus came duly to hand when I was at Zomba, standing by my property in case of an attack from 

 the Mangoni, who were ravaging the country on the high lands on this side (Blantyre) of the Shire River. One of my 

 boys who belongs to the river was actually on the road to the river to get a supply when news came of the death of 

 Mr Fenwick and Chipitula, and for long no person dared to go to the river. When these difficulties were got over, 

 the Mangoni came, and I had to go to Zomba, and remain there until they took their departure. Lately, however, I 

 have got a supply, and as I have arranged to come home in December, I shall take the Strophanthus with me. Unless 

 special care be taken, it is sure to be damaged owing to leaky boats and canoes. The African Lakes Company's 

 steamer is at present undergoing repairs, otherwise I should have sent the Strophanthus by her." (21st October 

 1884.) 



