ROOTS AND RHIZOMES. 
135 
Description. — Somewhat cylindrical, tapering, 
more or less flattened, slightly branched or broken 
into irregular pieces 6 to 15 cm. long, 5 to 15 mm. in 
diameter; externally light brown, wrinkled, with 
numerous rootlet scars ; crown simple or branched, 
slightly annulate from numerous leaf-bases ; fracture 
short, horny when dry, tough when damp; internally, 
bark light brown, 2 to 6 mm. thick, made up of con- 
centric layers of laticiferous vessels and sieve alternat- 
ing with white parenchyma, wood lemon-yellow, 1 to 
4 mm. thick, porous and non-radiate; odor slight; 
taste bitter. 
Constituents. — The drug contains two bitter prin- 
ciples — one which is amorphous, and another which is 
crystalline and called taraxacin; another principle 
has been isolated which gives reactions with certain of 
the alkaloidal reagents ; it also contains pectin, 24 per 
cent, of inulin, and about 5 per cent, of ash. 
C ALUM BA (Columlbo). 
The root of Jateorliiza pcilmata (Fain. Menisper- 
maceie), a perennial herbaceous climber, native of 
the forests of Eastern Africa. The large fleshy roots 
are collected in the dry season, cut into transverse 
pieces, dried and exported by way of Zanzibar and 
Bombay. 
Description. — In nearly circular or elliptical disks, 
sometimes irregularly bent, 2 to 5 cm. in diameter, 
2 to 10 mm. thick ; externally yellowish green or dark 
brown, wrinkled ; fracture short, mealy ; internally 
radiate yellowish green, wood bundles concentric, bark 
4 to 6 mm. thick, cambium zone distinct, center either 
depressed or more or less prominent; odor slight; taste 
bitter and aromatic. 
Constituents. — Columbin about 0'83 per cent., ber- 
