350 Transactions. — Chemistry and Physics. 



which tutin can no longer be detected, even when the residue 

 has been acidified. 



Some preliminary experiments upon the toxic effect of 

 tutin were carried out by Mr. J. A. Gilruth, Chief Govern- 

 ment Veterinary Surgeon. The compound is very poisonous. 

 A dose of 0-129 gram killed a pig weighing 17 kilograms in 

 five hours; - 01 gram killed a kitten weighing 1 kilogram in 

 iorty minutes; 0001 gram given to a cat weighing 2 kilograms 

 caused a fit in three hours and illness for the next twenty- 

 four hours. The same cat subsequently succumbed to a dose 

 •of 0-003 gram. 



A dose of about a milligram produced nausea, vomiting, 

 and incapacity for work extending over twenty-four hours in a 

 healthy, full-grown man. 



Three preparations were analysed, (i.) and (ii.) from C. thy- 

 mifolia and (iii.) from C. ruscifolia : — 



(i.) 0-1299, dried at 120 o -130°, 

 00691 H 2 0. C = 60-78 ; H = 5-91. 



(ii.) 0-1255, dried in desiccator, 

 00710 HoO. = 60-70; H = 6-20. 



(iii.) 0-1264, dried at 120°-130°, 

 0-0658 H 2 0. C = 60-95 ; H = 5-78. 

 C 17 H 20 O 7 requires C = 60-71 ; H 



Molecular Weight Determinations . — Calculated for C 17 H2o0 7 . 

 M = 336. 

 0-403 gram depressed the m.p. of 10 grams of acetic acid 0-47°. 



M = 332. 

 0-319 gram depressed the m.p. of 10 grams of acetic acid - 38°. 



M = 325. 

 0-2448 gram depressed the m.p. of 8 grams of phenol 0-66° 



M = 333. 

 1-1173 grams raised the b.p. of 11-65 grams of alcohol - 35°. 



M = 320. 



Solubilities. — One hundred grams of water at 10°, of ether 

 at 10°, and of alcohol at 16° dissolve 1-9, 1-5, and 8-2 grams of 

 tutin respectively. It is very soluble in acetone, but dissolves 

 only sparingly in chloroform, and is insoluble in benzine or 

 carbon-disulphide. 



The optical activity has been determined by Professor 

 C. B. Marshall, of University College, Dundee, who reports as 

 follows : — 



a D = +0-37°; Z = 2dcm.; d = 0-8; c = 2-5 per cent, 

 in alcohol ; whence [a]D' 50=:: +9-25. 



Note on the Pharmacology of Tutin. — Professor Marshall 

 has undertaken the pharmacology of tutin, and furnishes the 

 following preliminary note : — 



