352 
ON  THE  CULTIVATION  OF  JALAP. 
several  shoots  which  were  quite  covered  with  gummi-resinous 
tears.  From  the  occurrence  of  the  plant  in  the  hot  province  of 
Laar  and  other  regions  it  is  evident  that  it  is  adapted  to  a  warmer 
climate  and  a  lower  elevation  above  the  sea-level. 
The  greatest  quantity  of  assafoetida  is  exported  to  India,  where 
it  is  employed  for  culinary  purposes.  It  forms  a  frequent  in- 
gredient of  the  sauces  eaten  with  the  pillaw.  Its  medicinal  use 
in  Persia  is  very  extensive,  especially  against  spasm  ;  there  are 
persons  who  have  so  accustomed  themselves  to  its  use,  that  it 
has  become  to  them  as  much  a  necessary  of  life  as  opium  is  to  an 
opium-eater.  In  fact  it  exerts  by  long  use  a  remarkable  action 
in  tranquilizing  spasmodic  pains,  a  property  which  deserves  to 
be  more  regarded  in  Eurpe. 
The  young  shoots  of  the  plant,  after  immersion  in  vinegar, 
are  willingly  eaten  by  the  Turkomans.  In  many  parts  of  the 
country  I  was  informed  that  they  fence  round  the  fields  with 
assafoetida  plants,  as  a  protection  from  the  attacks  of  insects. — 
London  Pharm.  Journ.,  April,  1867,  from  Persien  ;  das  Land 
und  seine  Bewhnor.    Leipzig,  1865.    Zweiter  Theil,  p.  282. 
ON  THE  CULTIVATION  OF  JALAP. 
By  Daniel  Hanbuey,  F.L.S. 
The  considerations  which  render  it  expedient  that  the  cultiva- 
tion of  Jalap  should  be  attempted  in  some  other  country  than 
that  in  which  the  plant  is  indigenous,  are  the  following : 
1.  The  present  supply  of  Jalap  is  precarious  and  fluctuating. 
2.  The  drug  is  often  of  bad  quality  even  when  genuine,  owing 
to  the  rude  method  in  which  the  tubers  are  dried,  and  frequently 
.   to  their  having  been  collected  while  too  young  and  small. 
3.  The  frequent  admixture  of  other  roots  with  the  Jalap  of 
commerce. 
The  cultivation  of  jalap,  to  be  successful,  must  result  in  pro- 
ducing the  drug  identical  in  medicinal  activity  with  that  hitherto 
employed,  of  uniform  good  quality,  of  moderate  price,  and  in 
sufficient  quantity  to  be  noticeable  in  the  market.  Experience 
alone  can  determine  whether  all  or  only  some  of  these  desiderata 
can  be  attained. 
