220 LEGUMlNOSiE. 



astringent. 



d 



entirely so in ether or chloroform ; but it dissolves in warm dilute 

 alcohol. From this solution it is precipitable by many acids, hut not 



by tannic. 



Groves^ in 1868, unaware of the researches of Dragendorff and 

 Kubly, arrived at similar results as these chemists, and proved con- 

 clusively that a cathartate of ammonia possesses in a concentrated form 

 the purgative activity of the original drug. 



The exactness of the chief facts relative to the solubility in weak 

 alcohol of the active principle of senna set forth by the said clieuiists, 

 was also remarkably supported by the long practical experience of 

 T. and H. Smith of Edinburgh.^ 



When cathartic acid is boiled with alcohol and hydrochloric acid, it 



is resolved into sugar and Cathartogenic Acid. 



The alcoholic solution from which the cathartates have been separated 

 contains a yellow colouring matter which was called Chrysoretin by 

 Bley and Diesel (1849), but identified as Ghrysoplian^ by Martius, Batka 

 and others. Dragendorff and Kubly regard the identity of the two 

 substances as doubtful. 



The same alcoholic solution which contains the yellow colouring 

 matter just described, also holds dissolved a sugar which has been 

 named Catliarto-mannite. It forms warty crystals, is not susceptible 

 of alcoholic fermentation, and does not reduce alkaline cupric tartrate. 

 The formula assigned to it is C'H^O'l ., 



Senna contains tartaric and oxalic acids with traces of malic acid. 

 The large amount of ash, 9 to 12 per cent., consisting of earthy ana 

 alkaline carbonates, also indicates the presence of a considerable quantity 

 of organic acids. 



, Commerce— Alexandrian Senna, the produce of Nubia and the 

 •egions further south, was formerly a monopoly of the Egyptian Goveru- 



ment, the enjoyment of which was granted to individuals in return 

 a stipulated payment: hence it was known in continental trade 



as 



d those v?ho 



8enede la pake, while the depots were termed paltes and ^^^^^^'^ j 

 farmed the monopoly paltiers.-' All this has long been abolished, an 

 the trade is now free, the drug being shipped from Alexandria. 



Arabian senna is brought into commerce by way of Bombay. _ 

 quantity of senna imported thither from the Red Sea and Aden m 

 year 1871-72 was 4,195 cwi, and the quantity exported during 



the 

 the 



same period, 2,180 cwt.^ 



Uses— Senna leaves are extensively employed in medicine a 



at 



^ Solenostei^^^^^^ 



purgative. 



Adulteration ^ 



present liable arises from the' presence of the leaves ^ - - ^^. 



Argd Hayne, a plant of the order AsdepiadecB, 2 to 3 feet high, g ^^^ 

 mg in the arid valleys of Nubia. Whether these leaves are used lo ^^^ 

 direct purpose of adulteration, or under the notion of improv%ng ^^ 

 drug, or in virtue of some custom or prejudice, is not very evideni. 



\ ^tTi\ Z'^"'""- ""• (^S^^) 106. » Sialcmail of the Trade «"'^. f "igf^t 



^5^^.315. cf the Presidency of Bomhay fo^ 



\^^ ^?; ^"'^'^ ^^*^'"- pt. ii. 21. 98. 



t rom Italian apj^aUare, to let or farm. 



