407 
In 1906 Fitschy found hydrocyanic acid in the well-known 
Pampas Grass C. argentea, Stapf (Gynerium argenteum, Nees), an 
Cortusa (Primulaceae). 
The leaf of C. Matthioli, L., contains saponin, which is of general 
occurrence in this order. Popular medicine prescribes this species 
for lithiasis, ischias, &c. 
Cucumis (Cucurbitaceae). 
The foliage of C. metuliferus, E. Mey., gives a strongly frothing 
extract and contains saponin. I also found this substance in the 
seeds of C. dipsaceus, Ehrenb., and C, Sacleuxii, Hort. 
The seed of cucumbers and pumpkins is much sought after as a 
remedy against tape-worm and oxyurus. Perhaps this depends on 
the saponin which I also found in the seeds of Lagenaria vulgaris, 
Ser., and Cucurbita maxima, Duchesne. 
Cystopteris (Filices-Polypodiaceae). 
The : olia : off, f tee ibe C. bulbifera, Bernh., and 
C. fragilis, Bernh., contains a glucoside which yields on hydrolysis 
hydrocyanic acid and benzaldehyde. The odour of oil of sme 
almonds is especially intense in the young leaves of C. fragilis, 
Bernh, ; there is also a trace of HCN in the spores. { 
Probably the odour of this fern has been noticed before, ye 
this is the reason wh y C. fragilis, “pita geen as a popular 
5 ile 
Woynar, of Graz, who wrote to me in connection with my 
publication on transitory hyd ANIC BCG. ; 
some other ferns as follows: “ Vielleicht interessirt 
lichen Kalkalpen (Lias) als auch im 
Dyas gehérigem Kalk (Dolomit). 
Hk., D. ines Sw., 
D. hirta, Kaulf., D. majuseula, Lowe, D. pentephyla co 
D., strigosa, Sw., veeieg by me at Kew, wer agagoronia st 734 
tinctly cyanogenetic. Th st 
tie I 1 young foliage of D. pemantyils il sai Wie 
abundant formation of HON vier a une « a 
eeuusee Se tii a foliage of some other 
} y thi 
marginalis, Bak. (= Microlepia marginata, ie mor ts . ig # A 
ifn ncdbinptonige > ‘chosticha, Hk., and D. 
a mucilaginous one. The spores f oe i ) 2 = ns che 
platyphylla, Don (= Microlepea platyphylla, J. ©™.), 
