378 OLEACE, 
Solution was again neutralized and agitated with ether, Oper- 
ating in this manner, an alkaloidal principle was isolated, which - 
we provisionally call Nyctanthine. Nyctanthine gives a marked 
precipitate with alkaloidal reagents, but no special colour 
_ reactions. In addition toan alkaloid, the presence of a trace 
of an oily principle was detected, which had a taste somewhat 
similar to that of oil of peppermint. An astringent principle, 
giving a greenish coloration with ferric chloride, ‘with resins, 
and a sugar readily reducing an alkaline copper solution on 
boiling, were also present. | 
Jasminum grandiflorum, Linn., Spanish Jasmine or 
' Chambeli, is cultivated almost everywhere in India. The Sans- 
krit name is Jéti; from the flowers a perfumed oil is prepared 
which is a favourite perfume amongst the Hindus. Their phy- 
sicians prescribe the leaves as a remedy in skin diseases, ulcers 
of the mouth, otorrhea, &c. Chakradatta mentions the use of 
the fresh juice of the leaves asan application to soft corns, and 
of an oil prepared with it in otorrheea. In the Bhavaprakdsa 
the leaves are recommended to be chewed by those who suffer 
from ulceration of the mucous membrane of the mouth. = 
Mahometan writers consider the plant to have deobstruent, 
anthelmintic, diuretic and emmenagogue properties. Mir Mu- 
hammad Husain mentions the use of the flowers applied in the 
form of plaster to the loins and pubes as an aphrodisiac. He 
classes J. grandiflorum along with several other kinds of Jas- 
mine under the name of Yasmin. 
Chemical composition.—The air-dried eaves were exhausted 
with 80 per cent. alcohol, and the alcoholic extract mixed with 
water and agitated with benzole. The benzole extract con- 
tained much colouring matter and some resin. During agita- 
tion with benzole, a soft black resin separated.- This resin was 
easily soluble in alkalies and reprecipitated by acids. The 
clear aqueous fluid after agitation with benzole was acidulated 
with dilute sulphuric acid, which cansed a turbidity. After 
filtration, the liquid was agitated with ether, the extract con- 
tained — matter, and salicylic acer The nee 
ns Nearer gene 
