76 CUCURBITACE. 
The petroleum ether extract was of a light yellow colou 
soft, non-crystalline, and possessed a fragrant odour similar to — 
that of methyl] salicylate. In ether it was wholly soluble; @ 
with the exception of a few white flocks it was also soluble i 
absolute alcohol, with acid reaction. In eold aqueous caust 
soda it was insoluble, but when gently warmed a portion dis 
solved, and the liquid assumed a deep orange colour; t 
during digestion with the caustic soda solution a very fragrant 
odour was noticed. The agitation of an ethereal solution of t 
petroleum ether extract with dilute hydrochloric acid, afforde 
traces of an alkaloid. 
The aqueous residue after treatment with petroleum spirit 
was agitated with ether. The ethereal extract was yellowis: 
soft, indistinetly crystalline, and had an odour similar to th 
noted in the petroleum ether extract. In water the extract w: 
partly soluble with strongly acid reaction, and the solu 
gave marked indications of the presence of an alkaloid : 
ferric chloride the solution gave a dirty violet-reddish color 
tion. ‘The residue insoluble in water was yellowish, and part 
soluble in ammonia with yellow coloration: the insolu 
residue was whitish. The addition of acids to the ammoniae 
solution caused the precipitation of white flocks. 
e original aqueous solution after separation of ether 
rendered alkaline with carbonate of soda and agitated 
ether; the ethereal extract amounted only to a trace, 
afforded indications of an alkaloid with the u 
no special colour reactions were noted. 
After separation of ether, the aqueous alkaline residue 
acidified with acetic acid and agitated with acetic ether: 3 
extract thus obtained was reddish, and partly gelatinized on 
evaporation : it was partly soluble in acetic acid, a turbidi 
being produced by dilution with water. i ice 
In order to ascertain whether a purgative principle was 
sent or not, an alcoholic extract from 10 grams of the root 
rubbed up with water and injected into a cat’s stomach, no] 
gative action was produced, and with the exceptic 
aa 
sual reagents: 
