417 
saponin has also been found (in Piper Palmert, C. DC.) The root 
of the species examined is called in North America “ black 
sarsaparilla.” 
Saxifraga (Saxifragaceae). 
None of the twelve species of Saxifraga which I examined at 
Kew contain hydrocyanic acid, but they all contain much tannin. 
Saponin is present in the leaves of S. Andrewsii, Harv., S. 
cortusaefolia, Sieb. et Zucc., 8. cuneifolia, Li, 8. Sibthorpii, Boiss. A 
strongly mucilaginous extract is given by S. Fortunei, Hook. 
But little is known chemically of this genus and the medicinal 
applications are small. As regards the popular use of some species 
as lithontriptie we must bear in mind the naive confusion which 
transfers the stone-breaking properties from which the genus derives 
its name, to the “stone” in the human body. 
Securinega (Euphorbiaceae). 
na single leaf of S. ramiflora, Muell. Arg., I was able to 
demonstrate hydrocyanic acid by Guignard’s reaction. The 
examination will have to be confirmed and supplemented in India ; 
in Europe sufficient material is not available. 
The discovery of hydrocyanie acid in this genus 1s particularly 
iraportant, because it promises an explanation of the employment o 
the bark of the British-Indian species S. Leucopyrus, Muell. Arg., 
as a narcotic fish-poison (Roxburgh) and the use of its leaves as an 
insecticide (Dymock). 
Spiraea (Rosaceae). 
The leaf of S. japonica, \., con 
camtschatica, Pall., contains much tannin, : 
=. palmata, Pall.), both tannin and saponin. 
Haarlem I had already detected saponin in the seeds of S. Aruncus, 
L., S. bella, Sims, 8. canescens, D. Don, S. Humboldtii, Hort., 
SC eevigita, La, on as regards chemical con- 
contains saponin; that of 5. 
that of S. digitata, Willd., 
Previously at 
e genus shows a great diversity yards 
stituents. Some few species contain hydrocyanic acid; sapomin a 
had already been observed. 
Stipa (Gramineae). 8 
As a result of an examination at Kew, the following species 4 
be added to those known to contain hydrocyanic . 
Lessingiana, Trin. et Rupr. (=4: pennata, 
“S capillata, L. (according to Dr. O. Stapf 
ag.) f 
. : . es had been known for a 
The violent toxic action of en il OF cut ot te vate of 
acl 
L.?), and at Haarlem 
a form of S. gigantea, 
S rifoliaceae). 
The leat of Oe ate Nutt., examined oA Pra ot the 
contain saponin. At d found that these 
ordinary snowberry, ‘. 
also contain saponin, but 
