No. 2, June, 1921] PHARMACOGNOSY 207 



1434. Norton, J. B. S., and C. C. Chen. Some methods for investigating internal seed 

 infection, Phytopath. 10: 399-400. 1920.— The authors outline a method of seed disinfec- 

 tion consisting in pre-soaking, treating in an alcoholic solution of corrosive sublimate fol- 

 lowed by a thorough washing in ethyl alcohol and finally in sterile water.— ff. H. Mc Kinney. 



1435. Weir, J. R. Note on the pathological effect of blazing trees. Phytopath. 10: 371- 

 373. 1920. — The writer records the prevalence of sporophores of various heart-rotting fungi 

 on blazes on resinous and non-resinous species of conifers in Montana and Idaho. Eighty-six 

 per cent more sporophores were found on the resinous group than on the non-resinous group. 

 — C. J. Humphrey. 



PHARMACOGNOSY AND PHARMACEUTICAL BOTANY 



Heber W. YotTNGKEN, Editor 

 E. N. Gathercoal, Assistant Editor 



(See also in this issue Entries 1020, 1295, 1308) 



1436. Beythien, A., undH. Hempel. Ueber Rangoonbohnen. [Rangoon beans.] Pharm. 

 Zentralhalle 61: 295-296. 1920.— Samples (226) of Rangoon beans were examined of which 

 90 per cent contained less than 0.015 per cent of hydrocyanic acid. Of these, 73 per cent 

 contained between 0.006 and 0.015 per cent of the acid. No sample contained more than 20 

 mg. per 100 gm. — H. Engelhardt. 



1437. Beythien, A., und H. Hempel. Ueber das Vorkommen von Rangoonbohnen im 

 Kleinhandel. [The occurrence of the Rangoon bean in retail trade.] Pharm. Zentralhalle 

 61: 27-29. 1920.— Although the German government has prohibited the importation of the 

 bean on account of some cases of poisoning which had been reported, small quantities of the 

 bean had found their way into Germany. The authors report on analyses carried out with 

 several samples and find that the percentage of hydrocyanic acid in the bean is not by far as 

 great as is generally reported. They found from 0.00075 to 0.0054 per cent in these products. 

 Furthermore, they state, most of the acid is lost in boiling the bean.— ^. Engelhardt. 



1438. Bratjn, Hans. Ueber Quellstifte aus Laminariastielen und Tupeloholz. [Dilat- 

 ing tents made of Laminaria stems and Tupelo wood.] Pharm. Zentralhalle 61: 586-591. 

 Fig. 4. 1920.— An account of the history of dilating bougies made of the stems of Lami- 

 naria and Tupelo wood and a microscopical and biologic description of the material are 

 given. It is stated that the stems of Laminaria hyperborea Foslie are more suitable for 

 making tents than those of L. Cloustonia and L. stenophylla. Tents made of Tupelo wood, 

 especially when they are varnished as is usually the case, are of little value, because they 

 possess only a very slight swelling power. Requirements for Laminaria bougies and dis- 

 tinctive characteristics of Tupelo wood bougies are given.— i/. Engelhardt. 



1439. Griffiths, E. L. Cocoa husks as a fodder. Agric. Gaz. New South Wales 32: 

 55-56. 1921.— Review of literature shows that cocoa husks contain alkaloids, theobromin 

 and caffein, which produce lethal effects when husks are fed in normal forage quantity. Husks 

 must be fed sparingly, if at all.— L. R. Waldron. 



1440. Grimme, Clemens. 1st die Rangoonbohne wirklich giftig oder doch wenigstens 

 als schadlich fur den menschlichen Genuss anzusprechen? [Is the Rangoon bean really poison- 

 ous or must it at least be considered as a food detrimental to man?] Pharm. Zentralhalle 61 : 

 159-166. 1920.— The results of analyses of numerous samples of the bean have shown that the 

 hydrocyanic acid in it averages less than 0.02 per cent, that the acid is lost in boiling the 

 beans with water and that the bean is, therefore, harmless. A few samples showed a rather 

 high percentage of hydrocyanic acid, but these were derived from wild-growing plants. From 

 cultivated plants, beans with considerably less acid are obtained.—//. Engelhardt. 



