APPTilNDIX. 139 



and no bufcyrio acid could be detected. Hydi-ocyanic acid was 

 found in the oil and in tlie seeds, being determined as 0-03 per cent. 

 in the iornxev and (>-&2 per cent, in the latter. No amygdalin coTild 

 be detected in the seeds, but hydrocyanic acid, benzaldehyde and 

 grape sugar, possibly the decomposition products of it, were found. 

 A small quantity of cane-sugar was also separated in the crystallized 

 form {P/m-m. Jow-n., May 30th, 1891}. 



Saponin!. 



The varying statements made by different authors i*n respect to- 

 saponin have induced Dr. Hesse to attempt to ascertain whether the 

 substances described in recent years under that name are identical ;- 

 and, if so, by what empirical formula saponin would be best repre-. 

 sented (J'?ma?e?^, cclxi-j 371). The first question he answers in th 

 affirmative, having arrived at the conclusion that pui^ saponin from 

 ^uillaia bark is identical with that obtained, from various caiyophyl-. 

 laceous plants, and with senegin. As to the second, Dr. Hesse favours, 

 the formula C^^H^^O^', assuming the correctness of the formula 



attributed by Rochleder to sapogenol,, the decomposition product,, 

 together with three molecules of glucose, of saponin, aj^d that the 

 reaction goes on in the normal way, one molecrJe of water being 

 taken up for each molecule- of glucose split off^ The successive 

 ^ecom^positions effected by acids may then be represented as follows : 



2 CH'^C + 6 H^a= 2 C^^H^^O^ + 6 C*Hi^O\ 



Saponin, SapogenoL 



2:C^^H'^0^' + 5H'0— C^*H^*0^ +5C«H^=0^ 



Sapogenin. 



r 



2 C^'H''0^' + 5H=0= G'''ir'0'' + iC'ir'0\ 



Saponetin. 



2 C'^Ii'^0^' + 4IPO:=2 C-°H'^0' +4 C"H^^O\. 



Saporetin.. 



■ 



(Pharnh Jotirn., May 2nd, 1891.) 



R. Kobert considers that there are a series of saponins of the 

 general formula C'*H®"~^0^'^, several of which are known. Saponin^. 

 of the same formula and of the ^same chemical properties appear to 

 have different physiological chairacteristics^ and show great differences 

 in their poisonous action. The sapotoxin of the Agrostemma Githaryo 



(corn cockle), one of these substances, is absorbed both by 



