38 



phoretic, diuretic, and sedative, and it appears to exert a lower- 

 ing influence upon 'the heart's action. In large quantities it 

 must be regarded as a dangerous poison. 



A decoction of the bark possesses valuable therapeutic proper- 

 tics, as a diuretic, and diaphoretic, effects scarcely to be ascribed 

 to the volatile oil, inasmuch as. nearly, if not the whole of this is 

 expelled by boiling. Baron Von Mueller concluded that the 

 bark contained in all probability an alkaloid, and investigation 

 proved that these anticipations were well founded. To this 

 alkaloid M. N. J. Zeyer gave the name of " Atherospermine." 



Pfoatanthera lasiciifkos, Labillardiere (one of the few species 

 of Labiatae, which attain to large arborescent growth). Found 

 in Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales. 



Yield: 100 Ibs. of fresh leaves gave 2.60 fluid ounces. The 

 oil is a limpid, greenish-yellow fluid : odor, mint-like : taste 

 rather mild mint-like : after taste not disagreeable. Specific 

 gravity 0.912. 



rntun<J!folia Yield, 100 Ibs. of the fresh herb 

 gave 12.00 fluid ounces. This oil in sniell and taste, resembles 

 the last: in color it is somewhat darker. Specific gravity 0.941. 



Mentlia Austral is. This plant and the two following are true 

 Mints. They are all available in very considerable quantity in 

 Victoria and are also found in New South Wales, South Austra- 

 lia and Tasmania. 



Yield : 100 Ibs. of the fresh herb gave from 1.10 to 3.00 fluid 

 ounces. This oil both in taste and smell scarcely differs from 

 ordinary oil of peppermint, it is however somewhat coarser than 

 the best samples of that article. 



Maitha grandlflora Yield, 100 Ibs. of the fresh herb gave 

 5.00 fluid ounces. This oil has a fiery, bitter and unpleasant 

 nauseous taste, together with the characteristic aftertaste: and, 

 except for medicinal purposes, could not be used as a substitute 

 for common peppermint. Specific gravity 0.924. 



Mentha gracUis Yield, 100 Ibs. of the fresh herb gave 3.00 

 fluid ounces. This oil in its properties more closely resembles 

 the M. Australis than the M. randiflora. Its odor is like that 



