THE JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY. 257 



tain from 0.35 to 0.40 per cent, of alkaloid, and that any belladonna leaf 

 of a higher percentage may be brought within these limits by mixture 

 with belladonna leaf of a lower percentage, in proper proportions. The 

 recommendation is made provisionally, as it may be found that a leaf cor- 

 responding to the proposed description always contains a larger amount 

 of alkaloid and that the standard may be raised above the proposed figure. 

 It is the purpose of the writer to communicate with growers of and dealers 

 in this drug, requesting specimens corresponding to the suggested descrip- 

 tion. The analysis of the specimens received will be published at a future 



date. 



References. 



1 Yearbook Pharm., 1SS1, p. 4S2 ; 1882, p. 400 ; 1884, p. 447. Proc. A. P. A., 30, p« 

 162 ; 31, p- 113; 3 2 . P- I26 - 



2 Ephemeris, 2, p. 849. 



3 Abstract, Era, 16, p. 663. 



4 The abstract from which this is taken does not give the method of assay employed 

 and the figures may signify the amount of crude alkaloid as obtained by weight and 

 therefore too high, yet it shows that a mature plaut, and seeds and stems as well as 

 the leaves, is rich in alkaloid. 



5 Ned. Tijdschrf. v. Phar., Nov., 1895. 



6 Pharm. Rev., 16, p. 180. (Reprinted in the Druggist's Circular for June, 1898, p. 



136.) 

 The figures given are the average results as obtained with methods B and C, Pharm 



Review, 16, p. 303. 



* Am. Druggist, 1885, p. 187. 



9 Proc. A. Ph. A., 1886, 34, p. no. 



10 Proc. A. Ph. A., 1892, 40, p. 260. 

 "Pharm. Rundschau, 1893, p. 2S2. 



12 Proc. A. Ph. A., 43, p. 241 ; from Pharm. Centralb., 1894, p. 566. 



13 Proc. A. Ph. A., 43, p. 241 ; from Schweiz. Wochenbl.f. Chem. und Pharm., 1834. 



u Bull. Pharm., 1S95, 9,;p. 284. 



Microscopical Characteristics of Powdered Ipecacuanha 



and Belladonna. 



Smith Eey Jeixiffe, M.D. 



Ipecacuanha. 



Ipecacuanha is the root of Cephczlis ipecacuanha, a native of South 

 America, from Brazil to New Granada, and extensively cultivated 

 in India. 



The powder (number 60) is light-grayish-brown in color and has the 

 characteristic penetrating and irritant taste and odor of the drug. 



* From Druggist's Circular, December, 1S98. 



