150 
ON TWO VARIETIES OF FALSE JALAF. 
of the pieces the root has apparently been split or cut lengthwise ; 
in others, particularly in the large pieces, it has been sliced trans- 
versely like Colombo root The pieces are somewhat twisted or 
contorted^ corrugated longitudinally and externally, varying in 
color from a yellowish to a dark brown. The transverse sections 
appear as if the rhizome may have been broken in pieces at nodes 
from two tc four inches distant from each other, and at which the 
stem was enlarged. Or the same appearance may have been 
caused by the rhizome having been cut into sections of various 
length; and the resinous juice exuding on the cut surfaces, has 
hindered them from contracting to the same extent as the interven- 
ing part of the root. On the cut or broken surfaces are seen 
concentric circles of woody fibres, the intervening parenchyma 
being contracted and depressed. The fresh broken surfaces of 
these pieces exhibit in a marked manner the concentric layers of 
woody fibres. The pieces that are cut longitudinally, on the 
other hand, are heavier than those just described, though their 
specific gravity is still not near so great as that of genuine Jalap. 
Their fracture is more uniform, of a greyish brown color, and 
highly resinous. 
This variety of false Jalap, when exhausted with alcohol, the 
tincture thus obtained evaporated, and the residuum washed with 
water, yielded from 9i to 15j per cent, of resin, the average of 
ten experiments being 13 per cent. Its appearance was striking- 
ly like that of Jalap resin. It had a slightly sweetish mucilagi- 
nous taste, leaving a little acridity, and the odor was faintly 
jalapine. It resembled Jalap resin in being slowly soluble in 
concentrated sulphuric acid, but unlike Jalap resin it was wholly 
soluble in ether. In a dose of ten grains it proved feebly pur- 
gative, causing only two or three moderate liquid stools. Its 
operation was unattended with griping or other unpleasant 
effect, except a slight feeling of nausea felt about half an 
hour after the extract had been swallowed, and continuing for 
some time. 
This variety of false Jalap is probably used, when ground, for 
the purpose of mixing with and adulterating the powder of true 
Jalap, or is sold for it, or for the purpose of obtaining from it 
its resin or extract, which is sold as genuine resin or extract of 
Jalap. The powder strikingly resembles that of true Jalap, has 
