18 MYRTACEAE. 
is given in doses of from 2.to 8 grainsin milk. Rumphius 
states that the roots are used to kill fish, and this use of the 
bark is known in most parts of India. The fish are said to be 
not unwholesome. 
B. racemosa, Blume, has similar properties, the bark, 
root and seed being bitter. Ainslie states that in Java and in 
Ternate the seeds are used for intoxicating fish. The powdered 
seeds of these plants induces sneezing. 
_ Description.— The dry seeds as met with in the shops 
resemble a nutmeg in size and shape; externally they are 
somewhat rough, brown, and marked with longitudinal striz ; 
internally horny, hard and brittle when dry, but easily soft- 
ened by immersion in water ; the bulk of the seed consists of 
starch. Taste sweet at first, afterwards bitter and nauscous. 
Chemical composition.—The active principle of these seeds 
appears to reside in a body allied tosaponin. The aqueous solu- — 
tion forms a stable froth when shaken, and tastes at first sweet and q 
afterwards bitter and acrid. This solution precipitated with — 
barium hydrate, the precipitate collected, dissolved in hydro- — 
chloric acid, the barium removed as sulphate, and the clear liquor 
boiled, threw out an insoluble substance related to sapogenin, — 
and the filtrate gave the reactions for glucose. The aqueous — 
extract gave an immediate precipitate of a proteid nature witl 
acids, which, dissolving to some extent when heated and sepa- 
as saponin. Rectified spirit dissolved 24 per cent. of extract 
containing gallic acid, sugar and some saponin ; and the subse- 
quent treatment with water removed more saponin together 
with gum and proteids, The remaining principles that could 
be identified were a fat, caoutchouc, a very large quantity of 
- starch and cellulose, the ash consisting of alkaline and delique: 
cent salts, if 
