_ iodide and iodine in potassinm iodide, only if ysennenn Soe C 
fed. With strong aqueousalkali a precipitate, w 20 
ASCLEPIADEM. 445 
sneezing, whence the Hindi name Nakcbikni. This property 
of the plant is also known in Madras, where the young shoots 
are cut and the exuding juice inserted into the nose. The 
follicles are frequently eaten by the natives in their curries, 
the process of boiling or cooking removes their bitterness and 
_ nauseating’ property. 
Description.—A stout tall climber, branches often pus- 
tular, bark of the woody parts smooth, ash-coloured. Leaves 
3 to 6 by 2 to 4 inches, rather coriaceous, base rounded or 
cordate ; nerves 4 to 5 pairs; petiole 1 to 3inches. Peduneles 
1 to 3 salen: rather slencer; umbels drooping, multifid, sub- 
globose ; pedicels 4 inch, slender, corolla 4 inch in diameter, 
eupular, lobes triangular. Stigma dome-shaped. Follieles 
horizontal, obtuse, about 3 to 4 inches long, and four in ciream= 
ference at the base. In the variety Lacuna all parts of the 
plant, but especially the follicles, are covered with a brown 
mealy substance, which consists of moniliform hairs made up 
of cylindrical cells placed end to end, ‘They can be well exa- 
mined urder the microscope with OCCT solution - which 
colours them yellow. 
Chemical composition.—The fresh follicles, freed from sod’ 
and their comose appendages, were bruised in a mortar and the 
juice expressed, The jnice was heated to boiling to coagulate 
albuminous matters and filtered, and the liquor, after evapora- 
tion to a small bulk, was treated with two volumes of 
spirit to remove mucilage and salts. After dissipating 
the spirit by.a gentle heat, the acidulous solution had a bitter- 
ish taste, was free from tannic matters, and contained an abun- 
dance of glucose, It was shaken with ether, and the ethereal 
solution left a mass of light-coloured transparent scales, 
soluble in water with a peculiar bitterish-sweet taste and neu- 
tral or slightly acid reaction. This solution gave an abundant. 
white precipitate with tannin, none with neutral plambic ace- 
tate; and with alkaloidal reagents, such as sei 
