154 THE CHEMISTRY OF DORYPHORA SASSAFRAS, 



group of alkaloids, for the same reason as in curare. (/)The 

 physical properties are dii?erent from those of papaverine. 



Summary. 

 Doryphora sassafras is a small Monimiaceous tree, endemic in 

 Eastern Australia. Its bark, leaves, and fruit contain an essen- 

 tial oil of characteristic sassafras odour. The oil has a density of 

 1-033, and di.stils between 60" and 230''C. The bark contains 

 1-35%, leaves 4-3%, and fruit 4% (% on material dried at 100°). 

 The essential oil is compared with that from the Victorian 

 sassafras, Atherosperma moschatum, the Queensland sassafras, 

 Cinnamomum Oliveri, and the Sassafras officinale of N. America. 

 Other constituents of the bark are fixed oil 0-63%, aromatic 

 resins 1-3%, tannins 1-3%, sugars 1-7%, calcium oxalate 1-37%, 

 and an alkaloid 0-63% (% on bark dried at 100°). 



7'he alkaloid is an amorphous grey powder. All attempts to 

 obtain it, or its salts, in a crystalline form, were unsuccessful. 

 The alkaloid is highly electric, m.p. 115-117'^C., with a bitter 

 taste and alkaline reaction; readily soluble in alcohol, chloroform, 

 and dil. acids, very slightly in ether and water, insoluble in 

 petroleum spirit. The solutions are yellow. Composition : 

 0—68-64%, H— 6-27%, N— 4-33%, 0—20-76%, corresponding 

 closely to C^gHoiNO^. The amount of alkaloid in the bark is 

 0-63%, in the leaves 0-3%, and in the fruit 0-l%(% on material 

 dried^t 100°). 



The physiological action on the frog shows loss of power of 

 movement, and of response to touch, paralysis and death. 

 The min. lethal dose for Hyla aurea, a 13 gm. frog, is 1 mgm. 

 No convulsions are produced, and the alkaloid has no action 

 on nerve, receptive substance, or muscle. 



7'he biochemical relationships of Doryphora are compared 

 with other members of the same natural order. The alkaloid 

 is compared with the active principles of allied plants, and 

 also with alkaloids of approximately the same composition. 

 After discussing the points of resemblance and difference in 

 their properties, it is concluded that the alkaloid is a new 

 one, and the name proposed for it is "Doryphorine." 



