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CURCUMA ZEDOARIA. 
portion of which passes through the groove formed by the two lobes 
of the anther ; stigma roundish and slightly bilabiate ; the capsule 
is ovate, or somewhat triangular, divided into three cells, and as 
many valves, each cell contains many small seeds. 
We are partly indebted to that indefatigable botanist. Dr. Rox- 
burgh, for ascertaining the precise species which yield the zedoary of 
commerce. Whether this drug was known or used by the ancients, 
it is no easy task to ascertain ; by some it is supposed to be the 
Costus of Dioscorides, the Guiduar of Avicenna, and the Zerumbet 
of Serapion. Later botanists do not appear to agree as to the pre- 
cise genus to which this plant should belong. Dr. Andrew Duncan, 
Jun., on the authority of Wildenow, ranks it as an Amomum,* whilst 
Dr. A. T. Thomson follows that able botanist, Mr. Roscoe, who 
separates this plant from the genus Amomum, and places it with the 
Curcuma.t The Kaempferia Rotunda of Linnieus, is also said to 
yield the zedoary of the shops.| We are inclined to think that the 
zedoary roots of commerce are the produce of the three species of 
plants above named. They are all natives of the same soil, and 
produce roots which, in their external appearance and sensible 
qualities, differ but little from each other. We are told by Dr. 
Ainslie, that the best roots come from Ceylon. In Lower India the 
root is generally exposed for sale, cut into small round pieces about 
the third part of an inch thick, and an inch and a half or two inches 
in circumference. 
Sensible and Chemical Properties. The odour of zedoary 
root is fragrant, slightly resembling that of camphor, its taste is 
aromatic:, somewhat bitter and slightly acrid ; these qualities it imparts 
to water, but more perfectly to spirit. In distillation with water it 
yields a thick ponderous essential oil of a greenish colour, smelling 
strongly of the root ; its taste is very hot and pungent ; by keeping it 
deposits camphor. The constituents of zedoary root are chiefly aro- 
matic and bitter principles combined with a large proportion of fecula. 
From the analysis of M. Bucholz, 1008.7 parts gave the following pro- 
ducts, volatile oil 14.2, balsam 36., extractive 117.5, gum 45., starch 
116., lignin 128., tragacantliin 90., gummy extractive 312., moisture 
150. Zedoary root when good should be of an ash grey colour exter- 
nally, and of a pale brownish red internally : the pieces should be firm 
* Edinburgh New Dispensatory. 
•f London New Dispensatory. 
t Woodvill Med. Bot. 2d. edit. p. 740, 
