JALAP. 4*5 
61. JALAP is a dark-coloured root, which is usually im- 
ported, in transverse slices, from South America, 
The plant that produces it (Convolvulus jalapa, Fig. 8) 
belongs to the convolvulus tribe, and has generally somewhat 
heart-shaped leaves, and jlozcers that are reddish on the out" 
side, and dark purple or yellowish within. 
The name of jalap is derived from Xalapa, a town in 
South America, situated betwixt Vera Cruz and Mex- 
ico, where the plant, of which it is the root, was origin- 
ally discovered, and whence it has been imported, in 
great quantities, into Europe. The jalap plant is now- 
cultivated in the botanical garden at Charlestown, and 
in several other parts of America. When recent, the 
root is large, whitish, and full of juice ; but, when 
dried, the best pieces are compact, hard, weighty, and 
of dark colour, with black circular marks. Both in 
smell and taste it is very nauseous. It is frequently 
mixed with slices of bryony root; but these are easily 
distinguished by their paler colour and porous tex- 
ture. 
The only mode in which this root is of use is as a 
medicine ; and it is administered in substance, in a 
tincture, and an extract. It has been advantageously 
employed in several disorders ; but, as it is very power- 
ful in its effects, great caution is necessary in the use of 
it, particularly with children. 
62. PERUVIAN BARK is the produce of a treezohich 
grows in South America, and chiefly in Peru, whence its 
name has been derived. 
This tree (Cinchona officinalis), in size and general ap~ 
pearance, somewhat resembles our cherry-tree. Its leaves are 
in pairs, oval, pointed, nerved, and smooth on the upper side; 
und the flowers hang in loose clusters, are fringed at the 
tdges, and red in the inside (Fig. 10.) 
Formerly this valuable medicine had the name of 
Jesuit's bark, from its having been first introduced into 
Europe by some persons of the religious order called' 
