Crocus-Saffron.-The dried stigma, and part of the style, of Crocus sativus. Imported from Spain, France, and Italy.

Characters.-Thread-like styles, each terminated by three long orange-brown stigmas, broadest at the summit. Has a powerful aromatic odour. Rubbed on the wet finger it leaves an intense orange-yellow tint. "When pressed between folds of white filtering paper it leaves no oily stain.

Composition.-Saffron contains saffranin or polychroite, an orange-red glucoside, which yields a red colouring matter, crocin ; and a volatile oil allied to turpentine.

Impurities.-Marigold and sunflower petals.

Preparation. Tinctura Croci.-1 in 20. Pose, 1/2 to 2 fl.dr. Saffron is also extensively used as a colouring agent.

Action And Uses

Crocus is used only to colour officinal preparations.

Iris-Blue Flag. {Not Officinal.)-The rhizome and rootlets of Iris versicolor.

Characters.-Rhizome 2 to 4 inches long, jointed, terminated by a scar, annulated from the leaf-sheaths, grey-hrown. Rootlets long and simple; odour slight; taste acrid and nauseous.

Composition.-A resinoid substance, iridin, has been obtained from the root, the exact composition of which appears to be undetermined.

Non-officinal Preparations. Extractum Iridis (U. S. P.).-Dose, 1 to 5 gr. Extraction Iridis Fluidum (U. S. P.).-Dose, 5 to 60 min. Iridin.-A powdered extractive; dark-brown; bitter, nauseous, and acrid to the taste. Dose, 1 to 5 gr.

Action And Uses

Iridin is a powerful hepatic stimulant or direct chola-gogue, and cathartic ; possibly also diuretic. It is a useful purgative in disorder of the liver and duodenum, whether given alone or combined with other remedies.