264 
THE PLANT PRODUCING GUM AMMONIAC. 
semble those of the Pastinaca opponax. The flowers have a 
very remarkable character; they form small umbellets, al- 
most globose, borne upon a very short peduncle. These um- 
bellets, instead of being united in umbels, form a kind of 
simple bunches, which by their reunion constitute com- 
pound bunches or a panicle. The calycine limb is prominent, 
and constitutes a sort of cup at the summit of the ovary; 
this last is covered with silky hair. Finally, the fruit is 
compressed and presents strise little prominent, to the num- 
ber of 3 to 5 on each face. The different characters that we 
have stated are common to both plants mentioned, and 
prove their identity. 
It results from the preceding observations, that the name 
Diserneston gummiferam ought to be appended as a syno- 
nym to that of Dorema ammoniacum, given previously 
by Mr. Don, to the umbelliferous plant, which in Persia 
furnishes gum ammoniac by exudation. Messrs. Jaubert 
and Spach have, nevertheless, done an important service to 
Medical Natural History, by making us better acquainted 
with this vegetable, of which they have published an excel- 
lent description and figure. 
Jour, de Chemie Med. 
