EUPROmiAGE^. ' 251 



Description. — A much branclied annual prostrate plant, 

 more or less hispidly pubescent, leaves opposite, -^ to J inch, 

 petioled, obliquely- oblong, obtuse, crenulate, glabrous or pubes- 

 cent beneath, stipules elongate, involucres subsolitary, very 

 minute, axillary, especially in the crowded terminal branchlets, 

 lobes short ciliate, glands very minute, stipitate; capsules erect, 

 obtusely keeled, pubescent ; seeds with 5 to 6 shallow transverse 

 furx^ows. 



Chemical comjwsitwn. — An alcoholic extract of the whole 

 plant was mixed with water acidulated with sulphuric acid, and 



petroleum 



o 



rendered alkaline 



sodic carbonate. The petroleum ether extract contained a 

 large amount of colouring matter ; it had a very faint bitter 

 taste ; on standing, dark, and what appeared to be crystalline. 



points separated, but which, on microscopic examination^ were 

 destitute of regular structure. Euphorbon was specially 

 sought for, but we arrived at no definite conclusion relative to. 

 its presence. 



The acid ether extract was of a greenish colour, and partly 

 soluble in water, the solution giving a greenish coloration with 

 ferric chloride, and precipitating gelatine, but giving no 

 reaction with cyanide of potassium. 



After washing off by cold alcohol the extractive adhering 

 to the sides of the capsule, and which was insoluble in water, 

 a sulphur-yeUow deposit was left, which, on microscopic 

 examination, consisted of very minute needles. This principle 

 was present in only minute traces, and was soluble even, 

 in warm alcohol with diflSculty; it gave the reactions of 

 quercitrin. 



The aqueous original acid solution, before the addition of 

 sodic carbonate, was of a bright claret colour ; on the addition 

 of the alkali sage-green flocks separated, the addition of acida 

 causing solution, and reproducing the original claret-coloured 

 solution: but after standing* the flocks became insoluble in acids. 



