414 CUCURBITACE^E 



odorous; so intensely bitter that the bitterness is imparted to any 

 object brought in contact with it. 



Powder. Microscopical elements of: See Part iv, Chap. I, B. 



CONSTITUENTS. Resin, gum, and amyloid principles. Colocynthin, 

 3, a yellowish, somewhat translucent, bitter, and friable 



PIG. 241. Colocynth Portion of vine and whole fruit. 



glucoside, is, perhaps, the most important constituent; it is contained 

 in the pulp to the extent of about 2 per cent. Colocynthin is a taste- 



FIG. 242. Transverse section of colocy nth fruit. FIG. 243. Longitudinal section of colocynth fruit. 



less crystalline principle left after treating the alcoholic extract with 

 cold water in preparing Colocynthin. Ash, not to exceed 15 per cent. 

 The powder should not yield more than 2 per cent, of fixed oil when 

 treated with petroleum benzin a check test on the 5 per cent, limit 

 of seeds. U.S.P. IX. 



