February, 1920] PHARMACOGNOSY 03 



426. Bourquelot, Em., and H. Herissey. Application de la methode biochimique a 

 l'etude des feuilles d'Hakea laurina. Extraction d'un glucoside (arbutin) et de quebrachite. 

 [Biochemical methods applied to the study of the leaves of Hakea laurina. Extraction of arbu- 

 tin and quebrachite.] Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci. Paris 168:414-417. 1919. — Leaves of Hakea 

 laurina R. Br. (an Australian tree of the Proteaceae), which is cultivated as an ornamental 

 tree in France, were examined chemically and two glucosides as well as quebrachite, were 

 found. Arbutin and quebrachite were isolated. Treatment of leaf preparations with inver- 

 tase and emulsin demonstrated the presence of sucrose and a hydrolyzable glucoside. It is 

 noted that arbutin and quebrachite were also found together in the leaves of Grevillea robuxta 

 A. Cunn., another member of the Proteaceae. — V. II. Young. 



427. Ewe, George E. Notes on emetine hydrochloride. Amer. Jour. Pharm. 91 : 275- 

 280. 1919. — The examination of samples of emetine hydrochloride, representing the products 

 of five American manufacturers, showed that a pale reddish-purple color, followed rapidly by 

 a brown and finally a light green was obtained in each case, whereas the United States Pharma- 

 copoeia states that no purple color should be produced, indicating the absence of considerable 

 proportions of cephaeline. Quantitative determinations were made to ascertain if the 

 amount of cephaline present was dangerously great, with the following results: Sample No. 

 1, 1.65 per cent; No. 2, 3.10 per cent; No. 3, 2.1 per cent; No. 4, 0.80 per cent; No. 5, 2.10 per 

 cent. Judging from this, if the rule were interpreted literally it would exclude the majority 

 of emetine hydrocloride on the market. A quantitative test, as suggested by the author, 

 should be resorted to; the adoption of an upper limit of 3 per cent of cephaeline would insure 

 the absence of excessive proportion of cephaeline in the emetine hydrochloride. A series of 

 experiments were performed to note the effect of heat, light, acidity and tin on emetine 

 hydrochloride, with the following results. Crystallized emetine hydrochloride practically 

 withstands sterilization temperatures; diffused sunlight for a number of weeks is required 

 to just appreciably darken solutions of emetine hydrochloride, and direct sunlight of at 

 least three hours duration i.s required to just appreciably darken solutions; titration for 

 acidity is to be preferred to the United States, Pharmacopoeia litmus test; metallic tin 

 acts similarly to a soluble alkali in liberating the alkaloid from solutions of emetine hydro- 

 chloride, the time required, however, being prolonged. — Anion Hogstad, Jr. 



428. Heckel, James E. Modern paint vehicles. Amer. Jour. Pharm. 91 : 287-297. 1919. 

 — As the annual production of flax in the United States is insufficient and has been decreasing 

 for the last decade, especially during the past two or three years, it is desirable to devise 

 means to overcome this shortage. — The solution of the problem might be attained in any of 

 three ways: increasing flax production; importing enough flaxseed to make up the shortage; 

 or using other oils to eke out. The three questions are discussed by the author, the main 

 emphasis being placed on the use of other oils. A comparison of various oils is given, such 

 as perilla, hempseed, lumbang ("Kukui" or candlenut), soy bean, china wood, menhadden 

 and poppyseed. — Anton Hogstad, Jr. 



429. Lloyd, Francis E. The origin and nature of the mucilage in the cacti and in certain 

 other plants. Amer. Jour. Bot. 6: 156-166. 1919.— See Bot. Absts. 3, Entry 442. 



430. Mirande, Marcel. Sur les reactions michrochimiques et les localizations de l'alca- 

 lofde de l'lsopyrum thalictroides. [Concerning the michrochemical reactions and localization 

 of the alkaloid of Isopyruin thalictroides.] Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci. Paris 168: 316-317. 1919. 

 — Harsten in isolated the alkaloid isopyrine from Isopyruin thalictroides 1872. By means of 

 microchemical studies author locates the alkaloid principally in definite regions of the roots 

 and rhizomes, although it was also located in lesser amounts in the stems and petioles. This 

 alkaloid appears to be distinct from that demonstrated by MacDougal (1896) in an American 

 species, Isopyrum biternatum. — V. H. Young. 



431. Riley, W. J. A use of galls by the Chippewa Indians. Jour. Econ. Entomol. 12: 

 217-218. 1919.— The writer calls attention to the fact that Chippewa Indians made use of 



