VERBENACE^. 79 



llo-lit-coloured amorphous acid po^ycler, soluble in water, spirits 

 of wine and ether, and reducing Feliling when in aqueous solu- 

 tion. The bitter princix^le that escaped precipitation by 

 plumbic acetate was readily shaken out of the acid filtrate with 

 ether. This was a whitish amorphous powder soluble in water^ 

 with a neutral reaction, and did not reduce Fchlinj?'s solution; 



it was not precipitated by alkalies, and was not coloured with 

 ferric chloride ; it was chiefly distinguished by its being pre- 

 cipitated by tannin and affording a transient red-brown colour 

 with strong sulphuric acid. The dual nature of the bitter 



principle seems to show a very remarkable resemblance with 

 thatfoimd in Chiretta {Swertia Chirafa), a gentianaceous plant. 



Chiretta has been investigated by Ilohn, who found the drug 



to contain Oijhelh acid G'^ H^^ 0^^ and C/tirafm G^'^ H^^ O^^ an 



acid and neutral bitter principle respectively, and representing 



the activity of the herb. 



The leaves, when distilled with water, yield a stearopten-like 

 body having the fruity flavour of the fresh plant. The ether 

 extract was fragrant, green, and of a greasy consistence. The 

 alcoholic extract contained some resinous matter, and much of 



the salt, Avhich was left as cubical crystals when evaporated. 



' o-um and brown colourino- matter. JN^either 



^ * „^ WV.*^..^*^j^ 



y 



tannin nor starch was present in the leaves. They left on 

 gentle incineration as much as 15 '29 per cent, of ash, and the 

 large amount of salt in this ash indicates the habitat of tho 

 plant as being in close proxunity to the sea. {Hooper in Pharm. 

 Becord, Aug, 1st, 1888,) 



CLERODENDRON INFORTUNATUM, 



Giirtn. 

 Fig. — Rhcede, Uort. Mai. ii, t. 25; Burm. Zeij., t. 29. 



Hab, — Througliout India. Tho leaves. 



Vernacular,— miijit {Hind.), Bliat {Beng.), Cliitu [Nepal], 

 Bhandir, Kari [Mar.), Kare {Can.). 



History, Uses, &C. — Bhecdc states tliat the leaves of this 

 plant are used as a vennif uge, and that the root rubbed down with 



