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SELECTED ARTICLES. 
As to the depreciation of the virtues of sarsa from excess 
of boiling, this important fact is known and acknowledged by 
continental chemists; and practical experience in the Oronoko 
has proved, that preparations made with vinous or spirituous 
menstrua, prove far more efficacious than those with water; 
unless, indeed, fermentation be employed, which, by the 
spirit and acid formed, evolves the active elements of the 
root. It is evident that, whether the principle be understood 
or not among the Spaniards, those people have a much better 
method of preparing it than is known and followed in this 
country. 
There are numerous species of this plant, and divers other 
roots similar in appearance, that pass in the market as genuine 
sarsaparilla; although, in fact, many of them have none of the 
properties peculiar to the genuine plant. Amongst the roots 
sold for sarsaparilla, may be mentioned one of the class Pen- 
tandria, a species of periploca, and which, although exten- 
sively used, claims no affinity to the genus Smilax. This 
plant is brought from the East Indies; it contains but little 
farinaceous matter, and therefore affords a very clear decoction 
or infusion. On this account it appears to be favorably re- 
ceived ; its poverty being thus its chief recommendation. 
Even in some of the true species of Smilax the active powers 
are so exceedingly slight as to be scarcely deserving of notice. 
Thus, even the Jamaica sarsa, which in this country commonly 
passes for the best, is held in slight estimation by the Ameri- 
cans, practical experience having convinced them that its 
powers are very limited. 
Dr. Duncan, in his "Edinburgh Dispensatory," observes, 
" the roots have a bitterish, not ungrateful, taste, and no smell; 
it is, however, a very inert mucilaginous substance;" and 
Mr. Brande, in his " Manual of Pharmacy," has repeated 
nearly the same observation. This proves most clearly, with 
due deference be it spoken, that neither of these gentlemen 
ever possessed the slightest knowledge of the genuine sarsa, 
and, also, that they were not aware of any means of distin- 
guishing the good from the bad; in fact, they judged only 
from appearances, and not from the sensible qualities which 
