CUCURBITACH ZL, 83 
_ repeatedly agitated with ether. The ether was much coloured ; 
ewenons flocks separated during agitation. 
‘The ethereal solution contained a large amount of chlorophyll, 
and after evaporation of the ether, the residue became partly 
crystalline. The extract was repeatedly treated with light 
petroleum ether, which removed some waxy and much salen’ 
_ jing matter, anda crystalline principle, appearing as needles and 
stellate masses under the microscope, which was not further 
examined. The dark residue insoluble in petrolenm ether was 
3 then boiled with water; the aqueous solution was slightly 
% yellow, became turbid on cooling, and possessed an extremely 
bitter taste. This aqueous solution was agitated with ether; 
on spontaneous evaporation a yellow transparent varnish was 
left, destitute of any crystalline structure. The extract treated 
with water afforded a white curdy precipitate with tannic 
acid: no precipitate with Mayer’s reagent: with ferric chloride 
it afforded a slight greenish coloration; after boiling with 
dilute sulphuric acid, the solution readily reduced Fehling’s 
lution. This principle would appear to be allied to, if not 
identical with, colocynthitin. 
Its physiological action was fied in the o following experi- 
ent :—0°0296 gram. was dissolved in a few drops of alcohol 
nd warm water, and injected into a full grown, fasting cat’s 
_ stomach at 10-50 a, m. 
11-20 a. m.—Vomited several times, first contents of the sto- 
mach, and then white frothy mucus, not tinged with blood. 
12-0 noon.—Passed a solid stool: lying on its side breathing 
slow. 
1-40 p. m.—Passed a semi-solid stool tinged with blood ; 
pupils somewhat dilated ; now and again contraction pt 
abdominal muscles: uneasy, chiefly on its side, but shifts” 
its position frequently. 
2-45 p. m.—Pupils widely dilated: less of power in hind: 
legs, unable to stand: appears to have some difficu 
raising its head, which it keeps between its fo 
which are eee _expression anz 
