Abstract
Attempts were made to determine the characteristics of the morphology of Codonopsis lanceolata $T_{RAUT's}$ root. Its saponin and crude powder were examined by foaming and hemolytic tests and by observing transverse sections: 1) The cork-layer was consisted of multiple cells, and some of the cork cells contained monoclinic prism crystals of calcium oxalates. 2) The vascular bundle was formed of radial arrangement by the preminentic bursting pith and the irregular cambium ring with the abnormal growth. 3) The latex vessel and latex of the cortex were brown-gray or yellowish-brown. The latex vessel and sieve tube were consisted of the independent aggregates which had a number of layers. It had much more independent aggregates than Platycodi Radix. 4) The xylem was less than the phloem portion. The thick-walled vessels which had one to five lines ware more distributed than in Platycodi Radix. 5) The inulin distribution on a piece of section which is dipped in alcohol was observed through out the tissues, but starch grain was not found in it. 6) The duration time of foaming reaction of the crude powder in test tubes was shorter than that of Platycodi Radix. Foaming index of the foaming test of five percent decoctions was 3.33, 7) In the hemolytic test which used 10 percent decoction and one percent saponin solution, hemolytic action was very weak.