312 PHAKMACOGNOSY [BoT. Absts., Vol. VIII, 



past 25 years. — The author states that the horizon has grown wider and the subject more in- 

 tensely interesting than ever before. He points to the recent discovery of a new terpene, 

 possibly more correctly of 2 new terpenes; to the synthesis of new dyestuffs; and to the study 

 of intramolecular changes of isomeric derivatives. The economic possibilities are not dis- 

 cussed. — Anton Hogstad, Jr. 



2135. Lloyd, J. T. Spiders used in medicine. Amer. Jour. Pharm. 93: 18-24. Fig. 

 2. 1921 . — An account of the use of spiders and spider webs in medicine, including a number of 

 excerpts from historical literature on medicine. Owing to the popular lack of knowledge 

 regarding the distinctive characteristics of spiders and insects, these characteristics are 

 portrayed in a series of sketches. The author states he has handled large numbers of native 

 spiders as well as hundreds of "banana tarantulas," which are not true tarantulas, and has 

 found them all harmless. Although no chemical analyses of the spider web are known, tests 

 have shown the absence of sugar; a slight reaction towards alkaloids has been observed. 

 Spiders of the sub-family Aviculariinae, commonly known as "tarantulas" or bird spiders, are 

 used by homoeopathic physicians. Until recently the web was administered in the form 

 of a pill, but at the present time it is administered in the form of an alcoholic preparation 

 known as "Tela Araneae."— Anion Hogstad, Jr. 



2136. Mitchell, D. T. Poisoning of cattle by Diplodia-infected maize. South African 

 Jour. Sci. 16:446-452. 1920. — A disease in cattle characterized by incoordination of movement 

 and paralysis is produced by feeding mealy cobs which are infected with Diplodia Zea. Cul- 

 tures of D. Zea grown on sterile maize produce clinical symptoms indistinguishable from those 

 set up by feeding infected cobs. — E. M. Doidge. 



2137. Mitchell, D. T. Poisoning of cattle by feeding on Paspalum dilatatum infected 

 with Claviceps Paspali. South African Jour. Sci. 16: 391-396. 1920. 



2138. RussEL, G. A. Rose geranium. Jour. Amer. Pharm. Assoc. 10: 19-26. i pL 1921. — 



The results' of experiments in the culture of several varieties of rose geranium (Pelargonium 



odoratissimum) in Florida since 1914. The discussion embraces such factors as growth of 



plants; propagation by cuttings; cultivation; fertilization; harvesting; distilling and yield 



of herb and oil. The yield of oil was somewhat disappointing, varying from 0.035 to 0.109 



per cent, depending upon the time of harvesting. Heavy rains were noted to cause a decrease 



in yield of oil. One acre yielded 16,720 pounds of fresh herb the 1st year, 7,618 the 2nd, and 



4,499 the 3rd; it appears, therefore, that the amount of fresh herb obtainable decreases with 



each year of the life of the field. — The yield of oil per acre is not sufficiently large to warrant 



the cultivation of geranium as a money crop. An approximation of the possible monetary 



returns is presented on the basis of price paid for lowest-priced oil: 



1917 1918 1919 



A $36-57 $22-25 $10-93 



B 21-75 23-76 14-92 



The author believes that plot B very nearly represents what may be expected from the culti- 

 vation of rose geranium as a money crop. — Anton Hogstad, Jr. 



2139. Schneider, Albert. A general method for making quantitative microanalyses of 

 vegetable drugs and related substances. Jour. Amer. Pharm. Assoc. 9: 1140-1153. 1920. — 

 The method consists in making a count of the characteristic elements present in the substance 

 in question, from a diluted suspension of a carefully prepared powder. After carefully grind- 

 ing and mixing, 1 gr. of substance is suspended in 5 or 10 cc. of distilled water or a mixture 

 of water and glycerine in a 25 cc. graduated cylinder. It is then thoroughly mixed with a 

 glass rod and the cylinder filled to the 25 cc. mark with 5 per cent gum acacia solution, the 

 entire mixture being thoroughly mixed. (Other suspending materials may be used, such as 

 glycerine, oils, thin syrup, solution of cherry gum, solution of gum mastic, gelatin solution, 

 india gum solution, vaseline, etc.) Of the mixture, 0.2 cc. are delivered upon a counting cham- 

 ber or counting slide. The characteristic tissue elements are then counted and recorded. 



