in the Columba Wood of Ceylon. 101 



precisely in its appearance and properties with the salt prepared 

 in the same way by Fleitmann. 



280 grs. of salt gave 0"49 gr. of platinum = 17"5 per cent., 

 the calculated quantity being 17"55 per cent. 



A small quantity of the acid chromate of berberine was also 

 prepared by adding a solution of bichromate of potash to one of 

 hydrochlorate of berberine. The salt which precipitated likewise 

 perfectly agreed in its properties with the acid chromate examined 

 by Fleitmann. 



The results of these analyses and reactions leave no doubt as 

 to the identity of the alkaloid, and also serve to corroborate the 

 correctness of Fleitmann's formula for berberine, which I briefly 

 subjoin : — 



Berberinecrystallized at the oi"di-~1 ri42TTi8Tvn9 4- 1 9Hn 



nary temperature . . . j 



Berberine dried at 212° F. . . . C42H18N09 + 2HO. 



The hydrochlorate dried at 212° F. C^^Hi^NO'' + HCl + HO. 



Double chloride of berberine and"1 C^^Hi^NO^-i-Hri -l-PtCl^ 

 platinum j " 



The Menispermum fenestratum is, according to Ainslie, a large 

 tree, which is very common in Ceylon, and an infusion of which 

 has long been employed by the Cingalese as a valuable tonic 

 bitter. 



Gray, in his Supplement to the Pharmacopoeia, informs us 

 that this tree is known to the Cingalese by the names of Woni- 

 wol and Bangwellzetta. 



Berberine may easily be obtained in very considerable quantity 

 from Columba wood, the whole of which it pervades, and of which 

 it is the colouring principle; and if, as I suspect, the resinous 

 matter accompanying it consists chiefly of altei'cd berberine, im- 

 proved methods of extraction, such for instance as the employ- 

 ment of a vacuum pan apparatus, would in all probability still 

 further augment the amount of product. 



I am informed that berberine is employed as a remedial agent 

 on the Continent, but its scarcity seems hitherto to have pre- 

 vented its inti'oduction into the medical practice of this country. 

 As a good source for it has now been pointed out, it may be ex- 

 pected that berberine will take its place with the other alkaloids 

 in our materia medica. To prevent misconception from the 

 similarity of names, it may perhaps be as well to remark, that 

 berberine and bebeerine are very diff'erent substances, — the latter 

 being the active principle of the bark of the Bebeeree tree of 

 Guiana, and as yet has not been obtained in a crystalline form. 



St. Bartholomew's Hospital, July 20, 1862. 



