MH. O. COHDKR ON’ SAFFRON. 
botweon Saffron Walden and Cambiidgo, in a circlo of about ton 
niilo.s in diameter.” Tlie same writer remarks that Saffron was 
formerly grown in several English counties. Its cultivation, which 
was in full activity in 1594, had ceased in 1798 about Saffron 
Walden, and about Cambridge at the same date; yet its culture 
must have lingered in some few localities, for in the early part of 
the present century, a little English Saffron was still brought to 
London every year from Cambridgeshire, and sold as a choice drug 
to those who were willing to pay a very high price for it. 
Saffron was employed in ancient times to a far greater e.vtent 
than at the present day. It entered into all sorts of medicines, 
both internal and external ; and was in common use as a colouring 
and flavouring ingredient in various dishes for the table. This 
drug, from its inevitable costliness, has been liable to sophistication 
from the earliest times : both Dioscoridos and Pliny refer to the 
frauds practised on it. During the middle ages, the severest 
enactments were not only made, but were actually carried into 
effect, against those who were guilty of sophisticating Saffron, or 
even possessing the article in an adulterated state. Thus at Pisa, 
in 1305, the keepers of the public warehouses were required by 
oath and heavy penalties to denounce the owners of falsified 
Saffron consigned to their custody. The Pepperera of London, 
about the same date, were also held responsible to chock any 
dishonest tampering with Saffron. In France, an edict of 
Henry II. (March 18th, 1550) recites the great advantages 
derived from the cultivation of Saffron in many parts of that 
kingdom, and enacts the burning of the drug Avhen falsified, and 
corporal punishment for all offenders. The authorities in Germany 
were far more severe. A Saffron inspection was established in 
Nuremberg in 1441, and three years later, one Jobet Findeker 
was burnt alive with his adulterated drug. This adulteration still 
appeared to continue, for in the same city a few years later, one 
llans Kohbeli, Lienhart Fre}’, and a woman were all buried alive 
for sophisticating Saffron. Put enough of this part of our 
subject. 
The flower of the Saffron Crocus has a long thin parted stigma, 
the upper portion of which is the officinal part, the lower being 
devoid of colouring matter, and contained in the tube of the 
])crianth. The colouring matter is very remarkable : one grain, 
