231. Abri radix.—Indian Licorice. 232. Abri Semen.—Prayer beads. Jequirity.
231. ABRI RADIX.—INDIAN LICORICE. The root of A'brus precato'rius Linné, indigenous to India, naturalized in most tropical countries. Reddish-brown, twisted pieces, having a thin bark, and a meditullium composed of alternating zones of porous wood-bundles and parenchyma, traversed by medullary rays. Inodorous; taste bitter, afterward sweetish. It is thought to contain glycyrrhizin, and is used as a demulcent like glycyrrhiza.
232. ABRI SEMEN.—PRAYER BEADS. JEQUIRITY. The seeds of A'brus precato'rius Linné. Subglobular, about 5 to 8 mm. (1/5 to 1/3 in.) long, scarletred, glossy, with a black spot at the hilum; inodorous; taste bean-like. They contain two proteids, paraglobulin, and albumose, which are irritating to the eyes. A weak infusion of the seed is used in granular ophthalmia.
