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Five kilos of ground plants and seeds were extracted with chloroform contain- 
ing a little ammonia. After adding a small amount of one-half per cent acetic 
acid, the green-colored chloroform extract was distilled, the aqueous liquid remain- 
ing, filtered and concentrated to a small bulk in vacuo. It was then placed in the 
cold storage for a few days. When next examined a quantity of yellow, needle- 
shaped crystals had separated; these were recrystallized several times from water. 
Tests proved this substance to be berberin. An acetone compound was prepared 
according to Gaze.” The characteristic red color was obtained with chlorine water, 
and potassium iodide completely precipitated the substance. The further tests 
were carried out according to the method of Gordin*® and left no doubt that the 
substance in hand was really berberin. 
All parts of the plant were now examined for morphine, but in none 
of the extracts could any be found, although another alkaloid is present 
in small amount. I was not able to identify the latter, but can state 
positively that it is not morphine. 
ERYTHROXYLON BURMANICUM Griff.’ (Hrythroxylacee) . 
This plant has been found from Burmah to the Malayan Peninsula, 
Andaman Islands, Sumatra, Java, and Luzon, in which last place it is 
local and not abundant. Cocaine is secured from Hrythroxylon coca, 
and it has been claimed that it has been found in small quantities in 
several species of the genus.*° Thus, a content of 0.03 per cent of this 
alkaloid was claimed for Hrythroxylon burmanicum. 
In view of these facts a supply of leaves and bark of this plant was 
obtained. The brown bark has a slightly bitter taste. 
Four hundred grams of the finely ground bark were- extracted with petroleum 
ether containing a small amount of ammonia, according to assay method of 
Lyons.*" As no alkaloid was obtained, the bark was extracted with dilute acids, 
but neither an alkaloid or a glucoside could be found, and the solution was also 
physiologically inactive. 
Ten kilos of the fresh leaves, which were received in a very good condition, 
were extracted with petroleum ether containing a small amount of ammonia. 
The solvent, was evaporated to a small bulk and shaken out with one-half per cent 
hydrochloric acid. Not a trace of alkaloid was present. Various other standard 
methods of extraction were used with the leaves with negative results; neither 
were any of the extracts physiologically active. 
So far as is known this plant is not used by the natives in any of their 
medicines. 
CAESALPINIA BONDUCELLA Flem.” (Leguminosea) . 
This plant is cosmopolitan in the Tropics and is common along the 
seashore throughout the Philippines. The common English name for 
the seed is the bonduc seed, or fever nut; in Tagalog it is calumbibit. 
* Arch. der Pharm., 228, 607. 
% Arch. der Pharm. (1902), 240, 146. 
” Griff: Notul., 4, 468; Hook f. Fl. Brit. Ind., 1, 414. 
“ Ref. in Dragendorff, Heilpflanzen (1898), 343. 
‘Lyons: Assay of Drugs (ed. 1899), 48. 
“ Asiat. Res., 11, 159; Baker in Hook. f. Fl. Brit. Ind., 2, 254. 
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