APPENDIX     1L
Nerfhinfk.    He formed plantations of thefe herbs on
the declivity of a rock *, covered with one foot of good
mould, mixed with an equal quantity of fand and gravel*
If the fummer proved dry> the plants were left in the
ground \   but if  the feafon  was rainy* after drawing
out the roots he left them for fome days in the ihade
to dry, and then replanted them.    By this method of
cultivation he produced in feven or eight years very large
and found roots, which the rock had prevented from pe-TleRootsof
rtetrating too deep; and when they were properly
one fcruple was as efficacious as half a drachm of Tar-cquaiinti*»
tarian rhubarb.                                                  :
From the foregoing observations it follows, that thero,
are other plants, befides the Rheum Palmatum, the roots
whereof have been found to be fimilar both in their ap*
pearance and -effects, to what is called the beft rhubarb*
And indeed, upon enquiries made at Kiachta concerning
the form and leaves of the plant which produces that
drug, it feems not to be the R. Palmatum, but a fpecies
with roundifli fcalloped leaves, and moft probably the,
R. Rhaponticum ; for Mr. Pallas> when he was at Kiach-
ta, applied for information to a Buchanan merchant of
Selin Chotton, who now fbpplies the crown with rhu-
* In order to fucceed fully in the plantation of rhubarb, and to pro-
cure found and dry roots, a dry, light foil with a rocky foundation,
where the moifture eafily filters off, is effentially neceffary.
"•    •      •                        X x a                           barb;