128 PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION B. — SUB-SECTION, PHARMACY. 



The functions and cliemical powers of ferments, and the formation 

 of alkaloids, are little understood. 



May not a fungoidal or bacterial association with an alkaloid in 

 solution create changes of constitution, and form new compounds ? 



Acting on such a possibility, the several coloured solutions were 

 cultured on ordinary peptone broth — 



(a) Broth inoculated with the solution made with sterilized 



water. 



(b) Broth inoculated with the solution of the residual homa- 



tropin (a very small portion of the salt — ^ grain only — 

 was available). 



(c) Broth inoculated with the solution as originally compounded. 



These were incubated at room temperature (70° F.), and in each 

 case somewhat luxuriant growth was rapidly formed. 



The growths were found to be of the same character, and proved 

 to be an undetermined form of Cladotkrix. 



It was intended to proceed with a research to test the power of 

 the organism to cause alkaloidal change in the manner suggested by 

 the foregoing experience, but circumstances have hindered an immediate 

 completion of it. 



A further communication may be looked for. 



2.— THE STABILITY OF SOLUTIONS OF HYDKOCYANIC ACID 

 UNDER DIFFERENT DEGREES OF EXPOSURE. 



By R. C. Cowley. 



I have been unable to find any reference to the stability of solutions 

 of hydrocyanic acid under different degrees of exposure on examining 

 the chemical and pharmaceutical literature of recent years, and being 

 somewhat sceptical regarding the generally accepted view that solu- 

 tions of this acid rapidly lose in strength, I recently put my ideas to the 

 test. 



On 11th April last I had some hydrocyanic acid prepared in the 

 College of Pharmacy, Brisbane, which assayed 4*537 per cent, of real 

 HCN. This was stored in a pint bottle, partially filled, on a shelf in 

 the laboratory, and was assayed from time to time, about once a month. 

 It gradually lost HCN until, on 2nd December last, the solution contained 

 4*2916 per cent. On the same day, when the temperature stood at 

 33° C, the cork was removed from the bottle for one hour. At the end 

 of this time the solution contained 4*253 per cent, of HCN thus losing 

 practically 0*9 per cent, of its HCN. 



