OK RADIX SUMBUL. 
poured over this, and it is then placed aside for a few days, 
it becomes partially converted into beautiful transparent 
prisms, which have a most powerful odor of musk. Some 
other constituents of this root likewise appear to be extreme- 
ly interesting in a chemical point of view. 
The root, therefore, is in every respect similar to Ange- 
lica, and is certainly derived from some large umbelliferous 
plant ; but it is of a brighter color, with fewer ramifications 
or fibres, less spicy in taste and more bitter, and has a total- 
ly distinct odor. It might perhaps be supposed that the 
odor had been artificially communicated, perhaps by pack- 
ing it between empty musk-pods ; and this suspicion might 
receive additional support from musk being consumed by 
the Persians in considerable quantity, not only as an article 
of luxury, but also as medicine, for we find in the Persian 
Pharmacopoeia a considerable number of compound medi- 
cines of which musk forms a constituent. The authors, 
however, are not inclined to this opinion, because the odor 
is not merely externally adherent, but is also disengaged from 
fresh sections of the root. Undoubtedly it is closely allied 
to Angelica in its medical properties. 
Chemical Gazette, from Buck. Rep. 
ART. XXX. — ON OPIUM. 
M. Texier states that the differences which are found in 
the qualities of the various opiums from the same soil, are 
not solely owing to the composition of the collected juice of 
the poppy, but rather to the different states of the atmo- 
sphere during its collection. 
