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PHARMACOGNOSY. 
United States and Canada. The bark is collected in 
autumn, and after removal of the periderm is carefully 
dried and preserved. 
Description. — Usually in transversely curved pieces 
3 to 7 cm. long, 1 to 3 cm. in diameter, 0’5 to 2 mm. 
thick ; outer surface light brown or greenish brown, 
somewhat glabrous, with numerous lenticels 3 to 4 mm. 
long; inner surface light brown, longitudinally striate 
and occasionally fissured ; fracture short, granular ; 
cork dark brown, thin, easily separable from the green 
phelloaerm, inner bark porous and granular; odor 
of the drug distinct, and on the addition of water 
developing an odor of benzaldehyde and hydrocyanic 
acid; taste astringent, aromatic. 
The bark of the trunk is dark brown and rough 
externally. 
Constituents. — A glucoside analogous to amygdalin 
or laurocerasin, a ferment which resembles emulsin, 
these two principles yielding by interaction hydro- 
cyanic acid and benzaldehyde ; also a glucoside which 
is crystalline, bitter and fluorescent; tannin about 3 
per cent.; gallic acid ; starch and calcium oxalate. 
QUIIxLAJA (Soap Bark). 
The bark of Quillaja Saponaria (Fam. Rosacea), a 
tree indigenous to Chile and Peru. The bark is 
removed in large pieces, deprived of the periderm and 
dried. 
Description. — In flat pieces 25 to 90 cm. long, 10 
to 15 cm. wide, 4 to 6 mm. thick ; outer surface light 
brown, longitudinally striate, with numerous crystals 
of calcium oxalate and occasional patches of the dark- 
brown periderm ; inner surface yellowish brown, finely 
wrinkled, with numerous crystals of calcium oxalate, 
and occasional circular depressions, conical projec- 
