Physiologie. 469 



thus differing from T a n r e t who gave the formula C35 H^q Oq N^. 

 The molecule is unique among alkaloids in having Tour nitrogen atoms. 

 A second alkaloid, obtained by Tanret and by Robert in 

 amorphous form has now been obtained in a State of purit}'. It is 

 amorphous but forms scveral crystalline salts. Analytical data obtained 

 point to a close relationship between ergotinine and this other 

 alkaloid which the authors term ergotaxine. It seems probable that 

 ergotaxine is the most important if not the only essential active 

 principle. Pure cr3^stalline ergotinine is physiologically almost or 

 quite inactive. E. Drabble (Liverpool.) 



Barger, G., F. H. Carr and H. H. Dale. An active alkaloid 

 from Ergot. (Brit. Med. Journ. Dec. 22nd 1906.) 



The newlj'^ isolated alkaloid Ergotaxine is extremely active 

 physiologically: 0.0005 to 0.001 grm. given intravenously to a cat 

 causes a large and long-continued rise of blood pressure succeeded 

 by vasomotor reversal. Pure ergotinine on the other hand possesses 

 little if any such activit3\ The new alkaloid is soluble in caustic 

 alkalies thus differing from Ergotinine. 



This alkaloid plays at least an important part in the physiolo- 

 gical activities associated with ergot and their therapeutical applications. 



E. Drabble (Liverpool.) 



Bergtheil, C. and D. L. Day. On the cause of "Hardness" 

 in the seeds of Indigofera arrecta. (Ann. of Bot. p. 57—60. 

 Jan. 1907.) 



The germination capacity of the seeds of /. arrecta is normally 

 very low, only 5 to 10 percent. By rasping the seed coat, or by 

 testing with strong sulphuric acid, an approach to 100 percent is 

 obtained. 



Ordinai^^ staining methods did not reveal any difference in the 

 structure of the seed-coats from those of /. siimatrana , but when 

 soaked in a dilute Solution of fuchsin for twelve hours the fuchsin 

 was found to be deposited in a sharp line on the outside of the 

 seed coat in the uninjured seed of /. arrecta while in the damaged 

 seed of this and of /. suniatraiia the stain had penetrated. Hence 

 the resistant layer seems to be at the outside. Chlor-zinc-iodine and 

 double staining failed to show the presence of any cuticularisation 

 in the outer layer and only b}'- means of a Solution of iodine. in 

 phosphoric acid could the differentiated outer la5'-er of the testa be 

 demonstrated. This outer layer is resistant to water and seems to be 

 intermediate between cellulose and cuticle in composition. 



E. Drabble (Liverpool."; 



Böse, C. L., Luffa aegxptiaca Mi 11. (Calcutta Med. Journ. p. 65— /-l. 

 Sept. 1906.) 



This plant which jnelds the loofah fruit exists in two varieties. 

 The fruit of one variety is edible in its green State, that of the other 

 is bitter and toxic. Two distinct toxic glucosides can be separated 

 trom the fruit of the latter variety one acting as a severe emetic 

 and the other as a cathartic. The purgative principle resembles 



