54. ACANTHACEM 



of vasicine has scientific claims to be regarded as tlie active 

 principle of the leaves of A. Vasica. The analysis of the leaves 

 reveals certain principles resembling those found in tobacco, aa, 

 for instance, an odorous volatile principle, an alkaloid, but not 

 volatile like nicotine, one or more organic acids, sugar, mucilage, 

 and a large percentage of mineral salts. The leaves of 

 Adhatoda submitted to dry distillation evolved substances similar 

 to tobacco under the same conditions. At first water condensed, 

 and an intolerable odour arose from a yellow oily liquid which 

 followed. Then a brown oily substance came over, associated 

 with the pungent vapour of ammonia ; and finally a thick brown 

 semi-crystalline solid was driven from the retort to the con- 

 densor. These products were all strongly alkaline. The follow- 

 ing table gives the results of the proximate analysis of the 

 leaves : — 



Volatile odorous principle 0-20 



ChlorophyU, fat, resins, and alkaloid ex- ) « o^ 

 tracted by ether J '^''^^ 



Adhatodate of vasicine, resin, and sugar") ^r. tn 

 extracted by alcohol .?...i^^"^^ 



G 



um 



3-87 



Colouring matter, precipitated by lead . . . 4-83 



Other organic matters and salts extracted ) m oq 

 by water j- 10-38 



Extracted by soda solution 4-72 



Besidue organic 40"71 



„ morgaiuc 



9-59 



Moisture and loss 10-00 



1 he ash was constituted as follows :— 



Soluble in water 23*38 



12 

 1-50 



Soluble in acid 75. 



Residue 



100-00 



The portion soluble m water wa- alkaline, and conUiined 

 chlorides and sulphates. iPhann, Jouy., April 7th, 1888.) 



