128 JOURNAL OF THE 



10th. The precipitate from the soluble phosphoric acid is readily 

 dissolved by ammonium citrate at 65° C, until the basic phos- 

 phates are reached. 



11th. That such precipitated forms (excluding the basic phos- 

 phates), judging by the ammonium citrate standard, are readily 

 acted on by the juices of plants, and can be classed among the 

 "available phosphates." 



[Note. — The above article, with but few corrections, was written during the 

 winter of '86-'87. Many additions and alterations which might safely be 

 made have been prevented by press of other work.] 



A PARTIAL CHEMICAL EXAMINATION OF SOME 

 SPECIES OF THE GENUS ILEX. 



F. P. VENABLE. 



Some years ago an analysis of the leaves of Ilex cassine was 

 given in this Journal.* In this analysis appeared the interest- 

 ing fact that these leaves contained a small percentage of caf- 

 feine. During the winter of 1885— '86, at the request of some 

 medical friends whose attention was drawn to the analysis, a more 

 thorough examination was undertaken, not only of the leaves 

 but of the berries. It was thought advisable, at the same time, 

 to examine the leaves and fruit of other representatives of the 

 Ilex family in this State — Ileal opaca and Ilex dahoon. This 

 was primarily a search after alkaloids and not intended as a 

 complete chemical examination. As no alkaloids were found, 

 other than the caffeine already mentioned, no account of the work 

 was published, and the results have been hidden away in my 

 note-books ever since. Thinking, however, that even negative 

 results are often of some value and that the partial analysis might 

 be of aid to others, I offer this paper for publication in the Jour- 

 nal of the Society. 



'Vol. II, p. 39. 



