BY JAMES M. PETRIE. 



151 



gradually became slower and weaker, till it ceased. In no 

 cases were spasmodic reflexes or convulsions observed. 



The effect on the heart was observed by exposing the heart 

 of a pithed frog, and applying a 1 % solution of the alkaloid 

 in normal saline. The beat became slower, and within 8-10 

 minutes stopped, with the ventricle in the systolic phase. 



Muscle and nerve preparations were made from both Hylas 

 and Limnodynastes. The muscle of one preparation and the 

 nerve of another were laid in a watch-glass containing the 

 solution of alkaloid, and the excitability tested. No altera- 

 tion in the response was observed when nerve or muscle was 

 stimulated by a faradic current. 



Comparison with other allied Plants. 



Of the twenty-two known genera of the Monimiacese, eight 

 are represented in Australia ; and of the latter, four — Dory- 

 fhora, Dayhnandra, Falmeria, and Piptocalyx, are found 

 only in Australia. 



About the year 1860, von Mueller sent a quantity of the 

 Victorian sassafras, Atherosperma inoschatum, to Professor 

 Wittstein in Germany. It was handed over to the chemist 

 Zeyer, who investigated its composition, and published his 

 work in the Jahresbericht for 1861(7). The following com- 

 parison is made from an abstract in Wittstein 's "Analyse von 

 Pflanzen": — 



The alkaloids of Dnryphora and A thei'osperma resemble one 

 another in being precipitated by ammonia as bulky flocculent 

 precipitates. When dry they are light, loose, highly electric 

 powders, without odour, but possessing a bitter taste. Though 

 almost white or pale gray in colour when first precipitated, 

 they gradually become brown on exposure to light and air. 

 They are nearly insoluble in water, and very faintly in ether 

 highly soluble in alcohol, chloroform, and dilute acids. They 

 are neutralised by acids giving varnish-like salts. 



The two alkaloids differ in their melting points, Atherospermine 

 m.p. 128", while the Doryphora alkaloid m.p. is 115-1 17*^, 



