PLUMBAGINEA. 333 
_ Wefers Bettink (Haaamans Tijdsch., Jan., 1888,) were really 
those of Plumbago rosea. Prof. Bettink extracted with chloro- 
form a yellow crystalline principle, apparently the plumbagin 
of Dulong, which on crystallization from hot water and several 
times from alcohol was obtained in needles melting at 72°C., 
and showing the composition C!©H!50°. It was with difficulty 
soluble ir water, but easily soluble in chloroform, benzol, car- 
bon bisulphide and glacial acetic acid. On careful heating it sub- 
limed, the yield was about 0°2 per cent. The principle somewhat 
resembled Juglone and possessed anthelmintic properties. 
A further examination P. europea made in 1889 by Prof. 
Fliickiger aud Mr, T. E. Gerock, showed that plambagin is not 
| contained in the aérial parts of the plant, with the exception of 
: a small quantity in that part of the stem which is near the root. 
They found the root, when freshly cut, to be nearly devoid of ~ 
; colour, but on exposure it immediately assumed a yellow hue, 
. from which they conclude that the plumbagin is probably the 
product of a rapid oxidation of some primary substance contained 
; 
| 
in the plant. In the dried root the plumbagin is seen in the 
_ cell walls both of the parenchyme and of the woody tissue, but 
not in a crystalline form. We have submitted to steam two 
__ ewts. of bazar plumbago root, and on shaking the distillate with 
__ ether obtained half a fluid ounce of a deep yellow oily fiuid 
having a peculiar penetrating odour. On cooling it artificially, 
__ a few colourless crystals formed, which redissolved when the oil | 
__-was gently warmed. ‘The oil floated on water, and the mixture 
__—-was unaffected by dilute acids and alkalies and salts of iron, lead, © 
mercury and silver; it dissolved readily in ether and bi-sulphide 
of carbon, and to a small extent in rectified spirit. It struck eo 
reddish colour, without dissolving in sulphuric acid. A-ditep, 
of the oil in a watch glass was solidified by passing the vapour 
of ammonia over it. Heating on a water bath for two days 
was not sufficient to dissipate the whole of the oil. Heated to 
for some time it turned reddish brown, anda yellowish fatty 
given off and occupied the higher part of the 
drops of the oil smeared upon the upper part of th: 
ed Rea ae eas ab el 
a oe 7 
