402 
clear by these examples what was said above about the utility of 
phytochemical investigation in botanic gardens. 
Abelia (Caprifoliaceae). : : 
The leaves of A. uniflora, R. Br., contain saponin. 
Alectryon (Sapindaceae), ; 
The leaves of A. excelsum, Gaertn., were found to contain much 
hydrocyanic acid. 
The fruits of the species examined, a New Zealand tree, are 
said to be edible, and the seeds are said to contain oil. Li 
In 1897, at Buitenzorg, van Romburgh found hydrocyanice acid mn 
a species of Cupania, belonging to this order ; in addition Schlei- 
chera, has already been known for a long time to contain 
d 
hydrocyanic acid. 
Amarantus (Amarantaceae). : 
he leaves of A, hypochondriacus, L., give an extract which 
froths strongly and indeed contains saponin. This result was con- 
fi Y examining the seeds of A, hypochondriacus, L., an 
A. melancholicus, L, ae gangeticus, 14.), which also contain a 
little saponin, Amarantus-saponin is only slightly toxic, giving 
but feeble haemolysis, ‘ 
Amarantus was not yet known to contain saponin, but saponin 
was recently recorded for Achyranthes bidentata, Bl. This substance 
is doubtless also present in other Species and the use of some species 
as an anthelmintic in popular medicine, eg., that of A. viridis, L., 
is connected with this, 
Anacyclus (Compositae), : 
At Kew I found hydrocyanic acid (and benzaldehyde) in the 
seeds of A. officinarum, Hayne, and at Haarlem in those of A. 
pedunculatus, Pers. 
Compare for the distribution of HCN in this order the note 
on Dimorphotheca. 
Andrachne (Euphorbiaceae), 
The leaves of A, colchica, Fisch. et Mey., are characterised by @ 
For a long time the genus Andrachne has been known to be 
poisonous ; the amount of hydrocyanic acid found affords an 
explanation of this, and also of Watt’s statement that the foliage 
of A, cordifolia, Muell. Arg., has caused cattle poisoning in British 
India. Possibly the powerful antiseptic action of hydrocyanic¢ 
