tracted with methanol, and the evaporated methanol ex- 
tracts were defatted with petroleum ether. The defatted 
residue was tested for various kinds of alkaloids, espe- 
cially for indolic compounds, since the indole structure 
was known to occur in psychotomimetic agents. Indeed, 
when paper chromatograms of this Rivea extract were 
developed by spraying with a benzene solution of p- 
dimethylamino benzaldehyde and subsequently treated 
with hydrochloric acid gas, violet-blue spots appeared, 
indicating the presence of indolic compounds. In order 
to assess whether this indole fraction actually represented 
the active principle, we collected some milligrams of this 
fraction from a great number of paper chromatograms 
and my laboratory assistant H. ’scherter and I tested it 
on ourselves. After my experience with LSD, I have 
become cautious: we started by taking doses as small as 
0.1 mg., gradually increasing the dosage. With 2 mg. of 
this crude indole fraction we got clear-cut psychic effects : 
a dream-like state resulted with drowsiness and altera- 
tions inthe perception of objects and colors. This showed 
that the indole fraction of the Rivea extract contained 
the psychic active principles. 
The paper chromatographical testing of the extract of 
Ipomoea violacea showed that here, too, the same or a 
similar indole compound was present. An even better 
separation than by the paper chromatogram was attained 
by thin layer chromatography. In Plate XNNVI, 
right, the chromatograms of the extracts of Rivea corym- 
bosa and Ipomoea violacea, which were obtained on plates 
with aluminum oxide layer, using chloroform containing 
5% of methanol as the moving phase, are shown side by 
side. ‘The indole compounds were made visible by spray- 
ing with a5% solution of p-dimethylamino benzaldehyde 
in concentrated hydrochloric acid and treating with the 
fumes of aqua regia. 
[ 202 
