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PHARMACOGNOSY. 
few root-scars ; fracture short, horny ; internally light 
brown; odor pronounced, becoming stronger on keep- 
ing; taste somewhat aromatic. 
Roots 3 to 10 cm. long, 0'5 to 1 mm. in diameter, 
longitudinally wrinkled ; fracture brittle. 
Constituents. — Volatile oil 0 5 to 2 per cent., con- 
taining, among other principles, bornyl isovalerianate, 
which, by the action of an oxydase, yields free isova- 
lerianic acid, to which the odor so characteristic of the 
drug is due. The drug also contains two alkaloids — 
valerianine and chatinine ; resin; tannin; and starch. 
GERANIUM (Wild or Spotted Cranesbill). 
The dried rhizome of Geranium maculatum (Fain. 
Geraniaceie), a perennial herb indigenous to Canada 
and the Eastern and Central United States. The rhi- 
zome is collected in late summer or early autumn. 
Description. — Horizontal, cylindrical or flattened, 
curved or bent pieces, 2 - 5 to 5 cm. long, 3 to 10 mm. 
in diameter ; externally dark brown, wrinkled, upper 
and side portions with numerous buds or circular 
stem-scars, under surface with numerous root-scars; 
fracture short; internally light brown, bark thin, wood 
indistinct, pith large; odor slight; taste astringent. 
Constituents. — Tannin 15 to 25 per cent., gallic 
acid, starch and calcium oxalate. 
PODOPHYLLUM (May Apple). 
The rhizome of Podophyllum peltatum (Fam. Berberi- 
dacese), a perennial herb indigenous to Eastern North 
America. The rhizome is collected late in summer 
and dried, after removal of the rootlets. 
Description. — Horizontal, nearly cylindrical, flat- 
tened, sometimes branched, jointed, in pieces 3 to 8 
cm. long, internodes 4 to 10 cm. long, 5 to 9 mm. in 
diameter, nodes 7 to 18 mm. in diameter and 5 to 
