SALVADORACE, 883 
fine dotted vessels. The medullary rays are remarkable for 
the number of large raphides contained in their cells. 
Chemical composition.—The air-dried root bark of S. Persica 
was reduced to powder and extracted with 80 per cent. alcohol, 
the greater part of the alcohol recovered by distillation, and 
the last traces removed by spontaneous evaporation. e 
resulting extract was mixed with water, acidulated with sulphu- 
ric acid and agitated with ether. The ether extract contained 
some resin and colouring matter. During agitation with 
ether, brown flocks separated, which were subsequently 
collected by filtration. These flocks were partly soluble in 
alkalies, the alkaline solution giving a precipitate on the 
addition of acids: the alcoholic solution was neutral, and gave 
no reaction with ferric salts. 
The original acid aqueous solution was rendered alkaline 
and reagitated with ether, and the ether driven off by a cur- 
rent of cold air. During evaporation there was a marked 
odour of trimethylamine. The ethereal extract consisted of a 
soft yellow resin-like substance, and a small amount of clear 
watery fluid. The reaction was strongly alkaline ; a few drops 
applied to the skin caused a painless redness in about 10 
minutes ; no vesication ensued. A glass plate was moistened 
with dilute sulphuric acid and placed over the capsule con- 
taining the extract. After some time an odourless, crystalline 
deposit was observed, which, on the addition of an alkali, 
afforded the odour of trimethylamine. The remainder of the 
ethereal extract was heated for some hours in the water bath 
to 100° C. The residue was partly soluble in acids, and afford- 
ed all the reactions of an alkaloid. This residue was without 
any action when applied locally tothe skin. After agitation 
. with ether, the still alkaline original liquid was agitated with 
chloroform, which separated a further quantity of trimethyl- 
amine, and traces of an alkaloid. We propose calling the 
oid Salvadorine. 
os The ‘air-dried root-bark lost 13-76 per cent. when heated 
to” 100° C., i. ash mecmaied to sites se cent., ee 
