ANALYSES OF HELLEBORE 39 



truvi) ; the white hellebore ( Veratrum albtiDi)^ which grows in 

 Europe, and the green hellebore ( Veratrum viride)^ or Indian 

 poke of our wet meadows. 



Gray's "Manual" considers the two species as very nearly 

 identical ; but the " Treasury of Botany " states that the white 

 is more powerful than the green. The insecticide consists of 

 the pulverized root-stalks of the plants, and contains the poi- 

 sonous alkaloid, veratria. The most probable way of adulter- 

 ating hellebore would be by adding earthy matter, to increase 

 the weight. Such adulteration is easily detected by determin- 

 ing the quantity of ash. 



The sample of hellebore examined, bore the label: " Best 

 quality pure powdered hellebore. Put up by West & Jenny, 

 Boston." 



The analysis showed 33.13 per cent, of ^sh, which contained 

 an abundance of iron and aluminum oxides, and insoluble sili- 

 ceous matter, indicating considerable adulteration witli clay. 



Two analyses of hellebore were found in the report of the 

 Massachusetts State Station, for 18S9. One of the analyses 

 showed less than seven per cent, of ash, and the other over 

 forty. The former was evidently a pure sample, while the 

 latter was reported to contain the same clay constituents found 

 in the sample at this station. 



Recently, four additional samples of hellebore were procured 

 and their ash contents determined. One sample purchased of a 

 dealer in farming tools, was in a sealed package, labeled " Leg- 

 gett's Hellebore," and was prepared bv Leggett & Brother, of 

 New York. It contained 16 per cent, of ash. 



The three other samples were bought of druggists from stock 

 kept in bulk. One of the samples yielded 12 per cent, of ash, 

 another 10.6 per cent., and the remaining one 34 per cent. 



Three of these four samples may be considered as pure, al- 

 though containing a high percentage of ash for vegetable mat- 

 ter. Unless the roots were thoroughlv washed before pulver- 

 izing, there would undoubtedly be considerable earthy matter 

 in the powdered article. But the last sample must either be 

 adulterated, or very inferior in quality. 



In conclusion, it must be said that no adulteration was found 



