234 
MENISPERMUM PALMATUM. 
partial, hairy, alternate peduncles, with sessile flowers ; and lan- 
ceolate, ciliated deciduous bracteas ; the calyx is hexaphyllous, with 
three exterior, and three interior leaflets, 'equal, oblong, obtuse, 
and glabrous; the corolla is composed of six minute petals, which 
are oblong, obtuse, concave, and fleshy ; the stamens are six, a little 
longer than the corolla ; the anthers are four-lobed and four-celled ; 
there is no pistillum. 
Calumba root is the staple export of the Portuguese from Mozam- 
bique ; and, from the quantity exported, it is not a little remarkable 
that the place of growth should have been so long unknown, or 
doubtful to the rest of Europe. The roots are dug up in March, 
but the off-sets only are taken. Soon after they are dug up, they are 
cut into slices, strung on cords, and hung up to dry in the shade; 
when sufficiently dry. they break short, and are then deemed good,' 
but, when they are soft and of a dark colour, their quality is con- 
sidered bad, and not marketable. The dried root is brought to this 
country packed in bags, or cases. It is in transverse sections, ge- 
nerally about one-third of an inch in thickness, and from one to two 
inches in diameter.* 
Sensible and Chemical Properties. Calumba root is 
bitter, and slightly aromatic ; it breaks with a starchv fracture and 
IS easily pulverized ; when chewed, it softens and nearly dissolves in 
the mouth. Its smell is weak, with a very slight aromatic odour. 
Boilmg water takes up about one-third of its weight, the infusion 
has the sensible qualities of the root; it is not altered by sulphate 
of iron, nitrate of silver, corrosive sublimate, nor by emetic tartar ; 
but It IS copiously precipitated by acetate of lead, tincture of nut- 
galls, lune water, and yellow cinchona bark. It gives out its virtues 
also to alcohol, and proof spirit, but the latter is the best men- 
struum. It aff-ords an essential oil, by repeated distillation with water- 
the remaining decoction yields malate and sulphate of lime, m' 
Planche obtained from this root one-third its weight of starch a 
yellow bitter resin, and a large proportion of a substance which re- 
sembled aniiTial matter. 
Medical Properties and Uses. Calumba root is considered 
a powerful antiseptic and tonic, and also to possess some astringent 
* We are told that the root of white bryony, tinged with the tincture of calumba, 
has been not nnfrequently substituted for this root. 
