CLASSIFICATION OF ANGIOSPERMS. 317 



a highly toxic albuminoid ; the Blinding-tree ( Excoccaria A^^al- 

 locha) of Southern Asia and Australia, the juice of which pro- 

 duces blindness. 



The gum-resin euphorbium is obtained from Euphorbia res- 

 inifcra. a cactus-like plant of Morocco, and is also found in other 

 species of Euphorbia. It contains, among other constituents, 38 

 per cent, of an acrid resin, and 22 per cent, of a crystalline prin- 

 ciple euphorbon. 



The milk-juice of several species of Euphorbia is used in 

 the preparation of arrow poisons in Brazil. One or more species 

 of the following genera are used as fish poisons : Flueggea, Phyl- 

 lanthus, Bridelia, Excoecaria and Euphorbia. A number of plants 

 are used as remedies for the bites of serpents, as the bark of 

 Phyllaiithus niollis of Java and Euphorbia pilulifcra of South 

 America and India. Euphorbia pilulifcra, common in tropical 

 countries, contains an alkaloid, a wax-like substance, several 

 resins and tannin. {Ph. Jour., 29, July 31, 1909, p. 141-) 



A camphor-containing oil is found in the bark of Pcntalo- 

 stigma quadriloculare of Australia ; the aromatic wood of Col- 

 liguaya odorifera of Chile is used as a substitute for santal and 

 on burning emits a rose-like odor ; the leaf of Croton mentho- 

 dorus of Peru contains an oil with an odor of mentha ; a balsam 

 resembling Copaiba is derived from the bark of Croton origani- 

 folius of the West Indies; methylamine is found in Mcrciirialis 

 annua of Europe and other species of Mercurialis. Tannin is 

 found in the following genera: Macaranga, Phyllanthus and 

 Bridelia; Brazil kino is obtained from a species of Croton (C 

 erythrcEusf) of Brazil. A gum-lac is formed on the stems of 

 Aleuritcs laccifcra of the Antilles and Ceylon as a result of the 

 sting of an insect, and contains among other substances a large 

 amount of melyl- and ceryl-alcohols. and a substance resembling 

 abi^ic acid. The sap of Euphorbia cyparissias of Europe yields 

 a resin which is sometimes substituted for scammony. 



A reddish resinous substance resembling dragon's blood is 

 obtained from Croton erythrema of Brazil; a yellow coloring 

 principle is found in the seed of Croton tinctorius of Mexico; 

 poncetin, a violet coloring principle, occurs in Euphorbia hetero- 

 phylla of Brazil; a blue coloring principle is found in Chro::o- 



