36 PRELIMINARY NOTES ON SOME NEW POISONOUS PLANTS. 



(e.) Melicope erythrococca, 'Benth. Order Eutaceae. Mr. Try on, 

 some months ago, discovered that the bark of this tree has 

 a pronounced tingling taste, and anticipating that it might 

 contain a poison, gave me a sample of it. The physiological 

 action upon frogs is not unlike that of the allied genus, 

 Zanthoxylum. The active principle might be described as 

 a protoplasmic poison, for it appears to destroy every 

 part of the animal economy. Frogs under the influence 

 of it spring about in an excited manner, become bathed 

 with secretion, and in a few minutes lie paralysed. The 

 primary cause of death is paralysis of the spinal chord. 

 The heart stops in diastole. Fibrillary twitchings of the 

 muscles continue for a long time after death. 



(d.) Acacia Cunninghamii, Hook. The green pods of this plant 

 are rich in saponin. This acacia is perhaps the most 

 interesting and useful of any. It possesses an excellent 

 cabinet wood, a tan bark second to none in quality and 

 surpassing all others in the amount of yield. It has galls 

 which appear rich in gallic acid. It also has a good 

 adhesive gum-acacia but in small quantity. It is an 

 excellent shade tree and worthily preserves the name of 

 Allan Cunningham. 



(e.j .Eyiceras iiiajus, Goertn. -Order Myrsinese. The River 

 Mangrove. The bark has an extremely nauseating acrid 

 taste, due to saponin, which is present in large amount. 



