16 ON ARISTOLOCHIA RETICULATA. 
consistence. It was greater in amount and possessed of 
the taste and smell of the root more strongly than the 
residuum left from the evaporation of the infusion by dis- 
placement with water. 
7th. The roots of the Jiristolochia reticulata were 
placed in a copper still and covered with a solution of chlo- 
ride of sodium ; this was then subjected to heat until the 
root was deprived of the warm pungent taste so pecu- 
liar to it, thus denoting an absence of the oil : the 
water which passed over was rendered milky, and upon 
its surface globules of oil were seen floating ; the oil was 
of a greenish-yellow color, and; possessed the odor and 
pungent taste of the root in a high degree. The amount 
of oil was so small that it was impossible to obtain it in a 
separate state. 
8th. A portion of the root was incinerated, and the 
ashes obtained were placed in water, so that any potassa 
which was present might be solved out • the solution was 
filtered, and to the clear liquor dilute nitric acid was added; 
this was then evaporated to dryness, when there was left 
a number of crystals possessing the taste of nitrate of po- 
tassa. 
We may, from the foregoing experiments, state the con- 
stituents of these two roots to be the same ; the only differ- 
ence being in the amounts of the various principles they 
contain : thus, gum, extractive matter, and volatile oil are 
contained in greater amount in the roots of the Jiristolochia 
reticulata than in those of the officinal article. 
In the amount of the volatile oil which* the roots of the 
Aristolochia reticulata contain, the most marked differ- 
ence in chemical composition exists ; and it is rather a sub- 
ject of congratulation that as, the supply of the officinal 
article has failed, that article which is sold as a substitute 
is not only equal but even superior to that which it is to 
replace. 
