679 



ON TWO UNDESCRIBED EXUDATIONS FROM TKE 

 LEGUMINOS^E. 



By J. H. Maiden, F.L.S., &c. 



1. A kino from the " Native Wistaria," Milletia (Wistaria) 

 megasperma, F.v.M. 



This " vine " runs to an enormous length up and clown trees 

 and along the ground. Bushmen appear to know in a general 

 way of the existence of an exudation from it, but I can find no 

 reference to any exudation whatever from this or any other 

 Milletia or Wistaria in any part of the world. Not only are the 

 stems of the " Native Wistaria " of great length, but they are 

 also of great thickness, so that a large quantity of the exudation 

 could be obtained, if required, as it flows freely. The pods also 

 occasionally show small globules of kino. 



This exudation is a beautiful ruby-coloured transparent sub- 

 stance ; it breaks readily with a clear conchoidal fracture, and is 

 powerfully astringent. It forms a rose-tinted solution in water, 

 and is soluble in cold alcohol. 



It consists of a tannin and water ; no other substance can be 

 found in it. I cannot detect any difference in behaviour between 

 this tannin and that of kinos belonging to the Ruby group. I 

 have in this instance taken the opportunity of noting the tannin 

 in its value as given by Lowenthal's method (as an equivalent 

 of gallotannic acid), but have, in addition, stated the quantity 

 as an absolute gravimetric percentage. 



Its composition may thus be stated": — 



Tannic acid ... 78"2 



Ash , -8 



Moisture 20-1 



Insoluble impurities ... ... "9 



100-0 



