418 
The stem of S. orbiculatus, Moench., is used in N. America as a 
diuretic. It is of interest to note that cases of poisoning with 
S. racemosus, Michx., have repeatedly occurred. 
Tetragonia (Ficoideae). 
T ots of 7. eapansa, Murr., contain much saponin but not 
the seeds. : fet 
Saponin had previously been found in this order in Trianthema. 
Presumably the saponin of Tetragonia is but slightly poisonous, as 
it is used as a vegetable ; in boiling the leaves, the saponin would 
moreover in general be removed with the water. 
Thymus (Labiatae). 
In 1905 I pointed out in the Dutch journal “ De Levende 
Natuur ” that two varieties of Thymus Serpyllum, L., oceur in the 
Dutch sand dunes which can be readily distinguished externally, 
and which are sharply differentiated phytochemically by the fact 
that one variety (the common one) forms thymol in its leaves and 
accordingly smells like this substance, whereas the other always 
i and consequently has a strong odour _of lemons, 
quite different from the ordinary scent of thyme. At Kew If found 
Thymus Serpyllum, \., var. album, in cultivation and noticed that 
this also forms citral, and not thymol. 
Trollius (Ranunculaceae), oe 
The leaves of 7. pumilus, D. Don, and 7. chinensis, Bunge (= 7. 
asiaticus, Li.), contain saponin. 
T. europaeus, Li, is considered poisonous, and saponin was found 
in it in my laboratory at Haarlem by Dekker in 1906. 
Umbellularia (Lauraceae). 
The leaf of U. californica, Nutt., was found to be feebly 
cyanogenetic. If the leaf be rubbed to a pulp with water, an 
evolution of HCN not only takes place, but one can also observe 
more readily that the leaf contains an ethereal oil of strong odour, 
and further that. it forms with water a very mucilaginous ‘jelly of 
an intensely black colour. The leaves are also coloured black on 
rying. 
The species examined is used medicinally in N. America (cf: 
Dragendorff, l.c. p. 244) and according to a recent report (of 
Chesnut, 1902) also as an insecticide. What insect would be proof 
against the combined action of hydrocyanic acid, terpene and an 
alkaloid, to say nothing of the strong oxydase ? 
Viburnum (Caprifoliaceae). 
The leaf of V. macrophyllum, Thunb., contains saponin. Some 
applications of this genus point to saponin being probably widely 
distributed in it (cf. Dragendorff, lc. p. 641). Thus V. Opulus, L., 
is recorded as an emetic. 
Xanthisma (Compositae). 
The leaf of X. teranum, DC., yields a frothing extract and 
contains saponin. 
Nothing was known regarding the constituents of this genus. 
 Xylomelum (Proteaceae). 
The leaf of X. pyriforme, Knight, contains saponin. 
