NOTES ON THE CYANOGENETIC GLUCOSIDE OF 

 EREMUffilLA MACULATA. 



(Native Fuchsia.) 

 By FRANK SMITH, B.Sc , F.I.C. 



{Read before the Royal Society of Quecndaiid, 26th August, 



1913.) 



The occurrence of an hydrocyanic acid jdelding glucoside 

 in a member of the exclusively Australian natural order 

 Myoperinae, Eremophila Maculata, was first noted by the 

 author and J. C. Briinnich, F.I.C. (Queensland Agric. 

 Journ. XXV., 291) in November, 1910, in pursuance of 

 an enquiry into the cause of mortality among stock on 

 Carondotta and Roxbrugh stations in the Boulia district. 



In the interim an attempt has been made to isolate 

 the glucoside, and though unsuccessful, it is proved to be 

 one of the Amygdalin group, probably difficultly crj'-stal- 

 lisable, and yielding on decomposition with emulsin 

 benzaldehyde, hydrocyanic acid and reducing sugar. 



The observation that the glucoside and the enzyme 

 necessary for its decomposition occur separately in leaves 

 and fruit respectively, could not be confirmed on subsequent 

 .specimens of the plant. Though not actuajl}" resulting 

 in the separation of the glucoside in the pure state, the 

 details of the experimental work performed may be cited. 



Experimental. 



One kilo of dried leaves including a small quantity 

 of fruit, after preliminary extraction with petroleum ether, 

 was thoroughly extracted with 90 per cent, alcohol, and 

 c 



