120 BIOLOGY OF PLANTS. 



5. Strychmna (C30H'6NO3=237.75) is found in the nux vom- 

 ica [strychjios mix vomica), the St. Ignatius bean {strychnos igna- 

 tia), and the upas. It is an intensely bitter substance, and one 

 of the most violent poisons yet discovered. Its action is ac^com- 

 panied with symptoms of locked-jaw. 



6. Emetia or Emdina (C35H25NO9=308) is found in several 

 plants, especially in the roots of the ceph(Tlis emetica, ipecacuan- 

 ha, and possesses most powerful emetic properties. It gene- 

 rally exists in the form of a yellowish powder. Six, or at 

 most twelve grains, occasion violent vonjiting, followed by death. 



7. JVicotina is the peculiar principle of tobacco, a most viru- 

 lent poison. It has not been fully analyzed, but is supposed to 

 contain more nitrogen than any of the other alkaloids. 



8. Conia or Conicina (Ci~rP'*NO=108) is the active princi- 

 ple of conium inaculatum or hemlock, and is the most violent 

 poison known, with the exception of hydrocyanic or prussic 

 acid. It has the appearance of a yellowish liquid oil, with a 

 strong, penetrating smell, and acrid and corrosive taste. A sin- 

 gle drop, put into the eye of a rabbit, killed it in nine minutes. 

 Three drops, used in the same way, killed a strong cat in a 

 minute and a half It is a common opinion, that mineral bod- 

 ies are the most poisonous, but it is not the case, as the two 

 most violent poisons known, are derived from vegetables. 



9. Solajiina, (C^SH^'N^OS^ M. Henry,) is found in the ber- 

 ries of the solanum nigrum, the solanum dulcamara, or common 

 Nightshade, and in potato-balls. It is found also in the potato- 

 root, after germination commences, and in the epidermis. It 

 is an acrid, narcotic poison, and care should be taken not to use 

 this root, after germination has commenced. 



Parillina, (C^H^O^) is found in the smilax sarsaparilla, or the 

 common sarsaparilla of the shops, a substance used in the pre- 

 paration of mead, beers, etc. It diminishes the rapidity of the 

 circulation, and acts as a sudorific, producing perspiration, and 

 of course debilitates the system. In a pure state, it is a white 

 powder, with a sharp and bitter taste, slightly astringent and 

 nauseous. 



Class III. Intermediate Bodies. In this class are included seve- 

 ral vegetable principles, which have not yet been shown to 

 possess, either alkaline or acid properties. The princij)al of 

 which, are coloring-matters, fixed and volatile oils, resins and 

 gum-resins. 



1. The coloring-matters of vegetables, are usually diflTused 

 through other proximate principles. The most common veg- 



