CAPRIFOLIACEAE — ELDER 747 



In Part I attention was called to Treub's theory in regard to the role of 

 hydrocyanic acid in plants. Prof. Treub in a recent paper^ reiterates his former 

 conclusions that it performs some part in the products of assimilation. It was 

 found that the amount of hydrocyanic acid in plants of Sorghum increases during 

 the day because of its relation to the products of assimilation of carbon. It had 

 previously been shown in the case of Pangium edule and Phaseolus lunatus that 

 light plays no part in the formation of this substance, except as it favors photo- 

 synthesis. The same results have now been obtained with Prunus j'avantca, 

 Passiflora foetida, and some other plants. The results of the investigation with 

 these plants show a direct proportion between the formulation of hydrocyanic 

 acid and the function of the chlorophyll. The amount of acid is usually greatest 

 in the young leaves and gradually diminishes as the leaves grow older. Leaves 

 about to fall contain very little hydrocyanic acid. Samhucus nigra, according to 

 Guignard is one of the exceptions to the rule, and Treub has also found this to be 

 true for Indigofera galegoides. Hydrocyanic acid is probably the first recogniz- 

 able product of the assimilation of nitrogen "and perhaps the first organic nitro- 

 gen compound formed." The amounts of the acid in the plants could be increased 

 and decreased in proportion to the amount of nitrate used. Ravenna and Peli 

 think that the nitrates are necessary for the formation of the acid. Treub agrees 

 with this and adds that dextrose is especially essential. The acid probably 

 occurs in the form of a glucoside and is liberated by an enzyme or by boiling 

 water. 



The investigations of Em. Bourquelot and Em. Danjon^ with the glucosides 

 found in various plants show that they are not identical. In Samhucus nigra 

 they find sambunigrin. They also studied the character of glucosides from 

 which hydrocyanic acid is derived in 6*. racemosa and S. Bbulus. 



The flowers have long been used in domestic practice. The physiological 

 action recorded for the drug by Dr. Millspaugh are as follows : 



Dr. Ubelacker's experiments with from 20 to 50 drops of the tincture gave the following 

 symptoms of physical disturbance: Drawing in the head, with anxious dread; flushed and 

 blotched face; dryness and sensation of swelling of the mucous membranes of the mouth, 

 pharynx, and trachia; frequent and profuse flow of clear urine; heaviness and constriction of 

 the chest; palpitation of the heart; pulse rose to 100, and remained until perspiration ensues; 

 sharp, darting rheumatic pains in the hands and feet; exhaustion and profuse perspiration, 

 which relieved all the symptoms. 



Prof. Hyams states that the young buds of the American elder are espe- 

 cially poisonous. 



The European Samhucus nigra contains the alkaloid samhiicin; according 

 to Sanctis the same plant contains coniin. Samhunigrin has also been isolated 

 and h}'drocyanic acid is known to be present. 



Symphoricarpos (Dill.) Ludwig. Snowberry 

 Low, branching shrubs ; leaves oval, short petioled entire or wavy-toothed, 

 downy underneath ; flowers white tinged with purple ; calyx-tube nearly globular, 

 teeth short; corolla bell-shaped 4-5 lobed; stamens 4-5 inserted in corolla; ovary 

 4-celled, 2 with a fertile ovule; fruit a berry 4-celled and 2-seeded; embryo 

 minute. 



About 10 species of North America. One species frequently cultivated for 

 ornamental purposes. The wolf-berry {S. occidenialis) northward is com- 



1 Nouvelles recherches. Ann. Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg. II. 8:84-118. 1910. See R. Catlin 

 Rose, Bot. Gazette 50:156. 



2 Soc. Biol. Paris. 7. Julv, 1905. 1. c. Oct. 9, 1905. Jour, de Pharm. et de Chimie, Aug. 

 16, and Sept. 1, 1905. Compt. rend. Acad. Sci. Paris, July 3, 1905. 



