1029 
being obtained. This liquid has a very astringent taste and is acid, 10 eubie cen- 
timeters requiring 6.22 cubie centimeters of x sodium hydrate for neutralization. 
The following experiments show its physiological behavior : 
Heperiment A.—Guinea pig of 210 grams: 1 cubic centimeter of expressed 
juice of the berries given intraperitoneally. Uneasiness and weakness almost 
immediately follow; the animal is dead on the next morning. An autopsy showed 
very pronounced local irritation in the abdominal cavity, also a bloody serum; 
the lungs and heart are congested. 
Experiment B.—One cubic centimeter of expressed juice is rubbed on the shaved 
skin of a guinea pig. Evidences of considerable uneasiness appear soon afterwards. 
The next day a rash has become evident and the skin is dark and like a very 
brittle, rough leather. 
A peculiar acid is present in the Diospyros fruits, which seems to 
belong to the tannic acid series, and to which I provisionally assign the 
irritating properties of the plant. With ferric chloride it gives a 
greenish-black precipitate and it is precipitated from strong solutions by 
dilute hydrochloric or sulphuric acid. Lime water throws down a 
greenish-black calcium salt. Gelatine forms a leather-like mass and 
albumin gives a precipitate. Lead acetate precipitates it to a slight 
extent, basic lead acetate completely. An alcoholic solution of thymol, 
followed by concentrated sulphuric acid which is run under the solution, 
gives a rose colored ring, or with the same acid added directly to the 
mixture, a turbid, rose-colored solution. The rigid proof that this tannic 
acid is the active principle of the plant will have to be brought later as 
much more work on it is necessary. It may be remarked that the extract 
of these berries alone makes a very fair ink, in which respect it might be 
compared to Coriaria thyifoia, the ink plant of New Granada and New 
Zealand. 
TINOSPORA CRISPA Miers.* (Menispermacee) . 
This plant is widely distributed in British India and Malaya. The 
Tagalog name is “macabuhay.”’ 'This word means literally “you may 
live,’ and it expresses the very general belief in the marvelous medicinal 
virtues of this plant. In the Philippines it is considered to be a panacea 
to be applied to all bodily afflictions. 
The stem is the part employed in medicine, although in India, where 
the plant also has a great reputation, the leaves and roots are also used. 
The plant is officinal in the Pharmacopeeia of India. It has been recom- 
mended by various physicians as a febrifuge and also for gout, for second- 
ary syphilis, as a powerful emetic for snake bite, leprosy, chronic 
rheumatism, dyspepsia, and as a cure for insanity, while a necklace made 
of small pieces of the stem is worn as a remedy for jaundice. The above 
gives some idea of the wide range of diseases which macabuhay is 
supposed to cure. European physicians in the Philippines state that 
28 Contrib. 3, 34; Hook f. et Thoms. in Hook. f. Fl. Brit. Ind., 1, 96. 
