SMILAX, in botany, a genus of the Dioecia Hexandria class and order. Na tural order of Sarmentacez. Asparagi, Jussieu. Essential character : calyx six leaved ; corolla none ; female, styles three; berry three-celled ; seeds two. There are twenty-three species ; of these, the S. sarsaparilla, which affords the sar saparilla root, is the most valuable. This species has stems of the thickness of a man's finger; they are jointed, triangu lar, and beset with crooked spines ; the leaves are alternate, smooth, and shining on the upper side ; on the other side are three nerves or costa, with sundry small crooked spines ; the flower is yellow, mixed with red ; the fruit is a black ber ry, containing several brown seeds. Sar saparilla delights in low moist grounds, and near the banks of rivers. The roots run superficially under the surface of the ground. The gatherers have only to loosen the soil a little, and to draw out the long fibres with a wooden hook. In this manner they proceed till the whole root is got out : it is then cleared of the mud, dried, and made into bundles. The
sensible qualities of sarsaparilla are mu cilaginous and farinaceous, with a slight degree of acrimony ; the latter, however, is so alight, as not to be perceived by many; and it is thought that its medicinal powers may fairly be ascribed to its de mulcent and farinaceous qualities. The China, or oriental species of China root, has roundish, prickly stalks, and red ber ries, and is a native of China and Japan. The pseudo-China, or occidental species, has rounder, smooth stalks, and black berries, grows wild in Jamaica and Virgi nia, and bears the colds of our own cli mate. At present the China root is very rarely made use of, having, for some time, given place to sarsaparilla, which is sup posed to be more effectual. Prosper Al pinus informs us, that this root is in great esteem among the Egyptian women for procuring fatness and plumpness.