178. (Fig. 171.) SASSAFRAS. Sassafras. U. S.

Fl. ex. 60.

Sassafrasrinde, G. Ecorce de sassafras, Fr.

The root bark (peeled) or Sassafras officinalis Nees, Lauracea. Bright reddish brown.

Very fragrantly aromatic; recalling star anise.

Sweetish, pungent, bitter, astringent.

Some of the outer cork cells with bright red brownish contents. Inner bark parenchyma cells thin-walled, containing rather small compound starch granules, with very distinct hili, and many of them fat and oil. Thick-walled, comparatively short, porous bast cells. Sclerenchyma cells varying in size, form and thickness of walls. Ash 10 per cent.

Adulteration infrequent. Bark may be gathered out of season and may contain an excess of adhering wood.

c. Thick-walled sclerenchyma cells.

d. Parenchyma cells, longitudinal view.

e. Outer cork cells with bright red contents.

f. Thin-walled sclerenchyma cells.

179. SCILLA. Squill. U. S.

Fl. ex. 20. Tinct. 30.

Squills, E. Meerzwiebel, G. Scille, Squille, Fr.
The bulbs of Urginea Scilla Steinheil, Liliaceæ.
Very pale yellowish brown.

Odorless.

Very mucilaginous, bitter, pungent.

Very large, thin-walled, colorless parenchyma cells filled with mucilage, and many of them contain acicular crystals (raphides) of calcium oxalate. These crystals vary from short and fine, like those of ipecac, to very large, like those of Iris florentina. The greatly elongated cells with the large crystals are visible to the naked eye, appearing as glistening specks in a longitudinal section.

Ash 4 per cent.

Adulteration infrequent.

180. Fig. 172.). SCOPARIUS. Scoparius.

Fl. ex. 20.

Broom, Irish broom, E. Besenginster, Pfriemenkraut, G. Genêt á balais, Fr.

The tops of Cytisus scoparius Link., Papilionaceæ.
Brown.

Heavy, disagreeable, characteristic; when moist.
Very bitter.

Polygonal epidermal cells; neighboring cells of stomata small. Yellowish, simple, single-celled, thick-walled trichomes, with a few small warty markings on cuticle; basal ends broken off diagonally. Some bast and crystal-bearing fibers. Numerous small spiral ducts with delicate spiral thickenings; some annular and reticulate ducts and tracheids. Oval brownish pollen grains resembling a foot-ball in form. Some parenchymatous tissue and rectangular (in longitudinal view) hypodermal tissue.

00

e

Fig. 172. SCOPARIUS.

a. Epidermal tissue with stomata.

b. Trichomes.

c. Pollen grains.

d. Bast fibers.

e. Hypodermal tissue.

f. Spiral ducts.

g. Annular duct.

h. Prismatic crystal bearing fiber.

181. (Fig. 173.) SCOPOLA. Scopolia.

Fl. ex. 60. Tinct. 60.

The rhizomes of Scopola (Scopolia) carniolica, Solanaceæ.
Light grayish brown.

Nearly odorless.

Sweetish, bitterish, somewhat pungent.

Histologically scopola is closely similar to belladonna root. Ducts of scopola are more typically reticulate and starch granules are somewhat smaller but otherwise closely similar. There is a layer of distinct, rather thick-walled brown, polygonal epidermal cells; no cork.. Parenchyma cells large, loosely united; some with reddish brown resin and many with crystal sand. Some starch granules polygonal, and some in aggregates of five to seven.

Compare with belladonna. May be adulterated with Scopola japonica, S. lurida, and roots of other plants.