149 



alcohol beiug added from time to time to keep the surface of the spores 

 covered with the liquid. The first 50 cc. of the percolate was set aside and 

 the balance collected and evaporated down to 50 cc. on a steam bath. This 

 was added to the first amount saved making 100 cc. of the extract. Each 

 cc. of the extract representing one gram of the spores. 



In testing the extract for alkaloids a certain amount of it was taken 

 and evaporated to dryness on a steam bath. The residue was treated with 

 a five per cent, solution of sulphuric acid, and filtered. The filtrate was 

 then subjected to tests with the following reagents: 



1. Potassium mercuric iodide (Mayer's solutions 



2. Phosphotungstlc acid. 



3. Iodine in potassium iodide solution. 



4. Picric acid. 



A small portion of the filtrate was poured out into each of four watch- 

 glass crystals and then a drop or two of the reagents added. The reactions 

 obtained by this method were as follows: 



Reagent 1. A slight milky turbidity Avas produced. 



Reagent 2. A decided milky turbidity was obtained. 



Reagent 3. No visible reaction. 



Reagent 4. No visible reaction. 



A number of tests with the same and with fresh lots of extract pre- 

 pared in the same manner gave similar results. 



TESTS FOR TOTAL ALKALOIDS. 



In testing for total alkaloids a modified "Prollius Fluid"- vv^as used. 

 Two methods were employed. The first was to treat two grams of the 

 smut for four hours with .50 cc. of "Prollius Fluid" in a well stoppered 

 conical flask. The contents of the flask were vigorously shaken at inter- 

 vals during that period. After macerating four hours the super- 

 natant solution was drawn off and filtered. The filtrate was evaporated 

 to dryness on a steam bath and the residue treated with a five per cent, 

 solution of sulphuric acid. The acid solution was filtered and the filtrate 

 tested as mentioned for the alcoholic extract. The reactions obtained 

 were in each instance similar to those given for alkaloidal salts. 



The second method employed consisting in macerating ton gi-anis of 

 the smut spores in 100 cc. of "Prollius Fluid" for twenty-four liours. The 



-iMoclitiea Prollius Fluid: Ether, 250 c. c; Chloroform, 100 c. c; Alcohol, 25 c. c; i'&'x 

 Ammonia, 10 c. c. 



