NOTICES OP SOME RARE KINDS OF RHUBARB. 67 
This rhubarb was packed in the same kind of chests as 
those in which the Russian rhubarb is usually imported. 
I have reason to believe, however, that it is not Bucha- 
nan rhubarb ; but is the root known in Russian commerce, 
'as Siberian rhubarb, and is probably the rhubarb which 
Grassman calls Siberian rhapontic root. Mr. Faber tells 
me, that, on receiving it, lie immediately wrote to the party 
at St. Petersburgh, who, in 1S40, had sent, under the name 
Bucharian rhubarb, to this country, the rhubarb which I 
have above described as Bucharian, and described to him 
the quality of these three chests. The answer was as fol- 
lows : — " I have no doubt from your description, that those 
three chests are Siberian rhubarb, sent under another name 
for objects of secrecy." 
Grassmann describes what he terms Siberian rhapontic 
root, as being very readily distinguishable from genuine 
rhubarb. He says, that it occurs in long, thin, almost cylin- 
drical or spindle-shaped pieces, which have been decortica- 
ted and perforated by a hole. Their colour, externally, is 
pale yellow, internally brownish yellow, or reddish white. 
Their odour and taste are those of rhubarb but weaker; 
and though bitter it has but little astringency. When 
chewed it does not feel gritty. 
This description applies, in the main, to the rhubarb im- 
ported this year from St. Petersburgh as Bucharian, but 
which I shall describe as Siberian. In its general appear- 
ance it agrees with the rhubarb grown in this country, and 
known as English stick rhubarb. It has been decorticated, 
though imperfectly so, as portions of the dark brown cor- 
tex are here and there left adherent. The pieces are all 
more or less cylindrical, seldom exceeding four inches in 
length and an inch in diameter, and on the average weigh 
about 100 grains each ; the longest piece I have seen is six 
inches in length and an inch and a half in diameter. The 
broadest piece is somewhat flattened and about three inches 
in its broadest diameter. Its colour is in general darker 
than that of the ordinary rhubarb, but is of the same kind 
