426 ASCLEPIADEA. 
Chemical composition.—The leaves contain a caoutchonc-like 
body (described by Warren—See Watt’s Dict, Econ. Prod. 
Vol. ii., p. 625,) and aftord 14:5 per cent. of ash. The aqueous 
solution of an alcoholic extract is coloured green with ferric 
chloride, precipitated yellow with plumbic acetate and strong 
alkalies, and is unaffected by tannin, alkaloidal reagents and 
gelatine. Evaporated portions were crystalline, and dissolved 
with evolution of gas in strong sulphuric acid with an orange — 
colour, turning brown when heated. The solution when satu- 
rated with ether and allowed to stand with an excess ofthe 
ether, threw out a number of ‘crystals on the sides of the 
vessel. These crystals appeared white in the presence. of the 
mother liquor, but when removed by filtration and washed, 
they had a slight yellow tinge. They were soluble in alcohol, 
but mieiruiatys so in ether and water, and insoluble in benzol and 
chloroform. Alkalies and lime and baryta water dissolved them 
with a yellow colour, and a soluble compound was -formed 
with magnesia. . No colour was given, with ferric salts. unless 
the substance was previously neutralized, and then a green 
solution was produced. ‘The crystals dissolved with a yellow 
colour in sulphuric acid discharged on. dilution with water, 
and.in nitric acid with a transient red brown colour. | The 
crystals. were acid in reaction and blackened steel when left 
in. contact with it; they melted at 168°C. The mother liquor 
turned. green ee precipitated with ammonia, and showed 
evidence of a large amount of glucose by readily reducing 
Fehling’s solution. 
~The leaves were powdered and given to aainiale to test their 
alleged poisonous properties. 5 to 10 grain doses were given to 
several ‘chickens, 2 grams was given to a dog, and 5 grams, 
representing 20 leaves, was given toa fowl, with no results 
whatever in eithercase. ‘The inspissated aqueous extract from 
20 grams of the leaves was administered to a guinea pig with- 
out affecting its health. We wust therefore conclude that the 
leaves are not poisonous, ‘and could not have been the causé’of 
the persistent Cnt. in’ ‘the case ae by the Bom ‘ay 
Chemical Analyser, 
