313 



fopopiii from a chomieal staiirlpoint. The average alkaloldal percentage of 

 all samples for the same period was 0.0640 and the range of variation in 

 individual samples was from 0.018 to 0.12.5 per cent. 



The botanical characteristics approach the official requirements with 

 no greater degree of certainty. The ciude drug varies from fragmentary 

 s]>ecimens of unevenly cured leaves and stems containing an admixture 

 of grass, straw and other plant parts, as well as the refuse of chicken 

 and barn lots, to pure, bright, clean, evenly cured leaves, compressed in 

 such a manner that the entire leaf is available for inspection. The botan- 

 ical source of the drug is also questionable, as evidenced by numerous 

 feed tests from samples and lots from which viable seeds could be obtained, 

 'i'liese tests have shown this drug to consist of a mixture of two distinct 

 forms. The so-called annual variety, v.iaich is not included in the phai'ma- 

 copoeial description. a])peared regularly in these tests. Specimens of this 

 form have been grown to maturity in the writer's garden and close obser 

 vation has failed to substantiate the statements that it is identical with 

 Ilyoscyamns niger L. Seedling plants from both forms are now under 

 observation and will be studied both botanically and chemically through 

 sncceetling generations. To determine the ix)ssibility of obtaining a uni- 

 form henbane, seeds were purchased from August and George Fischer of 

 l.ondon, whicli were found to possess a high percentage germiy.atio:!. 

 Plants from these seeds differed greatly in size and vigor in the early 

 seedling stages, and a selection from appioxiniately two thousand seel- 

 lings was necessary in order to obtain one hundred and fcrty plants of 

 n.nifnrm character. The great variation noted in the seedling stages of 

 these plants led to a second application of tire seed separator. The seeds 

 of this form being quite small, several prirtions of two hundred seeds each, 

 \\ere taken from light, medium and heavy separations. The respective 

 weights of these were O.O.'U.", 0.945 and 0.125 grams. Plantings from 

 tliese different weight seeds have not progressed sufficiently at the present 

 time to jusify a di.scussion of the merits of the method. Open field exper- 

 iments with this drug have demonstrated that seed germination is uncer- 

 tain, that the i)lants are subject to the attacks of many insects and that 

 the seedlings transplant with considerable ditliculty. No conclusions can' 

 be drawn from these facts, however, since the seeds employed in all out- 

 door tests were imported and but very few lots of such seeds have given 

 satisfactory results. Tlie two forms of henbane mertioned, i. e., annual 



