EUPHORBIA CE2E. 267 



and trifid ; capsule globose ; two smootli seeds in each cell ; 

 seeds triangular. 



P. iirmaria : Root generally annual, though, in some soils 

 biennial and even perennial. Stem erect, striated, of a pale 

 reddish colour; branches several, ascending, striated from 

 the insertions of the stipules ; leaves scattered, spreading, 

 pinnate, from one to two inches long, flower-bearing; leaflets 

 alternate, linear oblong, entire, smooth, f of an inch long, and 

 i broad ; petioles compressed, somewhat triangular ; stipules of 

 the petioles 3-fold, acute, membranaceous, those of the leaflets 

 two, lateral; male flowers, exterior leaflets axillary, 2 to 3, 

 subsessile ; calyx, nectary and stamens as in P. Niniri ; female 

 flowers, lower leaflet axillary, solitary, sessile ; calyx and nec- 

 tary as in the male; capsules scabrous, 3-celled, 6-valved; 

 seeds, two in each cell, transversely striated on the outside. It 

 is immediately distinguished from P. JSfmiri by its sessile 

 flowers and scabrous capsules. {Boxb.) 



Ohemical composition.— Ih^ alcoholic extract from the whole 

 plant -was mixed with water acidulated with sidphuric acid, 

 and agitated first with petroleum ether, then with ether, and 

 finally rendered alkaline and reagitated with ether. 



The petroleum ether extract was dark-coloured, and soft, 

 with a tea-like odour, and extremely and persistently bitter. 

 It was mixed with 3 per cent, caustic soda solution and reagi- 

 tated with petroleum ether, which removed the bitter principle 

 contaminated with traces of oil and colouring matter. This 

 extract gave the euphorbon colour reaction when treated with 

 sulphuric and nitric acids. For the bitter neutral principle, 

 we propose the name oi jpseudochiratin. 



The acid ether extract contained green colouring matter, and 

 was partly soluble in water with acid reaction, the solution 

 giving a dirty bluish-green coloration with ferric chloride, 

 sli"-htly precipitating gelatine, but affording no reaction with 



Slum 



alkaline 



obtained in white feathery 



