REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. ' 89 



appears. From tlie reactions with bichromate (2), ferrlcyanicle (G), and 

 permanganate (7), it appears tliat this alkaloid is an active reducing 

 agent. 



It seems very probable that this alkaloid is identical with the Soi^lioria 

 ■discovered by jB^C. Wood, jr., in the seeds of SoiJhora speciosa. In fact, 

 a physiological experiment upon a kitten gave exactly the same indica- 

 tions as are recorded by H. C. Wood, jr., in the American Journal of 

 Pharmacy, January, 1878, page 34, and in the Philadelphia Medical 

 Times, August 4, 1877. 



In a single experiment made here the following symptoms were ob- 

 served : To a half-grown kitten was given an extract from the seeds con- 

 taining not over one-fourth grain of the alkaloid. Except excessive froth- 

 ing, no decided effect was noticed until fifteen minutes had passed ; then 

 a shght spasmodic twitching of the lower extremities was noticed. This 

 continued about half an hour, when a second dose of the same amount 

 was administered. This increased the number and irequency of the 

 twitchings, and after a few minutes' vomiting occurred, followed by par- 

 tial stupor and a general nervous twitching of the whole body ; there 

 ■seemed to be no effect upon the mind, and no delirium at any time. 

 Lack of material prevented further experimentation, and the cat recov- 

 ered fully in a couple of hours. 



It is hoped that a more complete chemical and physiological investi- 

 gation may be made during the coming year ; any results will appear in 

 the next annual report. It is hardly to be doubted that the alleged 

 poisonous effects of this plant are due largely or entirely to this alka- 

 loid ; at the same time it is not improbable that some medicinal uses 

 may be discovered which will fully compensate for the labor of analysis, 

 if not for the loss of cattle already incurred by our western farmers. 



PRELIMINARY REPORT ON THE HERB OP ASTRAGALUS MOLLISSIMUS. 

 Received from Francis A. Wentz, Kinsley, Kans. 



A proximate analysis showed the following constituents: 



1. Moisture 12.28 



2. Ash 6.76 



3. White wax 1.30 



4. Chlorophyl and fatty substance 1.23 



5. Neutral resins a *. 1.67 



6. Neutral resins 6 .42 



7. Acid resins c .60 



8. Organic acid and color 3. 77 



9. Bitter extractive* 7.89 



10. Gum 4.04 



11. Albuminoids 15.59 



12. Tannic acid, iron greening 2. 41 



13. Starch isomers 6.77 



14. Acid aud alkali extracts, not starch or nitrogenous', difl^erence .^ 11. 69 



15. Crude fiber 23.38 



100. 00 



The only substances likely to prove poisonous in this plant are the 

 alkaloid and bitter extractive (No. 9). If facilities can be had a 

 large amount of this plant will be treated, and the alkaloid extracted 



1 — ^ 



* Some reactions lately obtained point to the probable presence of a very small 

 amount of an alkaloid. This alkaloid seems to be sparingly soluble in water. The 

 reactions observed would indicate less than i per cent, in the plant. 



