NOTE UPON GENTIAN A CHIRAYITA. 21 
We are informed by Pereira that it is imported into Eng- 
land tied up in bundles, and that the plant is pulled up by the 
root, about the time the flowers begin to decay, and when the 
capsules are well formed. That which we have received is 
cut into small fragments. 
Dr. Ainslie says, what appears in the bazaars of Lower 
India, under the Tamul name of chayret toochie, are small 
stalks, of a light gray color, and very bitter but pleasant taste. 
An analysis of the plant has been made by Lassaigne and 
Boissel, who present, as their results, the following composi- 
tion: resin, yellow bitter matter, brownish-yellow coloring 
matter, gum, malic acid, chloride of potassium, sulphate of 
potassa, phosphate of lime, and oxide of iron. 
In India it is employed as a stomachic in dyspeptic com- 
plaints, and as a febrifuge in intermittents. According to 
Roxburgh, it is prescribed as a substitute for cinchona, 
when that bark cannot be procured. The credit of making 
it known in Europe appears to be due to M. Leschenault. 
Beside the tonic power which, like all its congeners, it pos- 
sesses to a considerable extent, others have been claimed for 
it, which, if verified by experience, will much enhance its 
value as a remedial agent; we fear, however, that partiality for 
a new substance has carried its advocates too far in their enco- 
miums, as it exhibits too little difference of composition, when 
compared with other species of gentian, for the existence of 
marked difference in properties. Thus, Dr. Currie has sup- 
posed " that he recognised in it an especial action upon the 
abdominal organs, especially upon the liver, for, during its 
use, the stools became more bilious, the complexion clearer, 
and he was induced to employ it in obstructions." And in 
his lectures, published in 1838, Dr. Sigmond will be found to 
employ the following language: " It seems that not only does 
it act upon the stomach, imparting to it a greater degree of 
vigor, so that the increase of the gastric juice is attendant 
upon it, and thus the first process of digestion promoted, but 
the secretion of the liver is materially improved by it, for I 
have always found that, where it has been given, the stools 
