19i 



The formation of Alkaloids in Plants. — Professor W. H. 

 Dunstaa has been indicating to the chemists' assistants of 

 London the proper direction and method of pursuing the 

 investigation of the above subject The experimental studies 

 of the pure chemist have shown the series of re-actions by which 

 we may pass from starch through carbo-hydrate to organic acid, 

 and thence to alkaloid. In the case of malic acid our knowledge 

 is exceptionally extended, the series of intermediate compounds 

 being almost completely established, and its relations to certain 

 alkaloids very clearly pointed out. These steps being thus 

 shown to be probable, it remains for the pharmacist to complete 

 the evidence by actually detecting the indicated intermediate 

 compounds in the plants. Those interested will find in the 

 Pharmaceutical Record for April 15th, an excellent report of 

 the lecture, taken from the British and Colonial Druggist. 



H. H, R. 



The Botanical Section of the Academy of Natural Sciences 

 of Philadelphia has organized a series of field excursions similar 

 to those of the Club. On July 4th the trip is to May's Landing, 

 N.'j., leaving Market Street at 8 A.M., and on July nth to Cape 

 May, leaving at 7 A.M. Mr. Martindale will direct the party. 

 We wish our neighbors all success and pleasure in these trips to 

 an extremely interesting region. All interested in botany are 

 cordially invited to join. 



Reviews of Foreign Literature. 



Die Wechselbeziehnng zwischen Pflanzen nnd Ameisen im tropt- 

 schen A^nerika, A. F. W. Schimper. Jena. Gustav Fischer, 

 1888. 



This is the title of an article forming the first part of a collection 

 of botanical notes from the tropics. The author believes to have 

 discovered some interesting factsin reference to certain relations be- 

 tween animals and plants, by which both are benefited. He states 

 that everywhere in tropical America, in woods or gardens, the trav- 

 eler is surprised by seeing hnes of moving leaf fragments, which 

 are found to be carried by a procession of ants. A similar fine of 

 ants may be found traveUng in the opposite direction to certain 



trees and shrubs where they cut out pieces of leaves, some as 



