A WILD CUBEB FROM PERAK. 69 
Thinking that it was possible the wild cubeb from Selama might 
possess properties which would render it of service as a drug, I suggested 
to Mr. Holmes that it might be examined physiologically. This has not 
yet been done, but it has been examined chemically, and the following 
interesting paper was read before a meeting of the School of Pharmacy 
Students’ Association, February 23rd, and published in the Pharma- 
ceutical Fournal, Vol. XXIII., Third Series, March 4th, 1893, p. 734. 
“AN EXAMINATION OF “PIPER RIBESIOIDES”’ BY EDWARD BROOKE, F.C:S. 
‘A specimen of the spurious cubebs received from Mr. L. Wray. Jr., 
Corresponding Member of the Pharmaceutical Society, and described in 
the Pharmaceutical Fournal, (3) XXIII., 121, was handed to me for 
examination by Mr. Holmes, who had ascertained that it did not give the 
characteristic crimson colour with sulphuric acid, and suggested an 
examination with the view of determining its chemical constituents. 
“A. Extraction by Petroleum Sprrit.—By percolation with light 
petroleum spirit a residue was obtained on evaporation equal to 19°85 
per cent. It consisted of a semi-solid mass, of a deep brown colour, 
having a peculiar aromatic odour and a rather bitter taste. Exposed to 
the heat of a water bath for several hours, it gradually lost weight to the 
extent of 6°23 per cent, which figure was taken as representing the 
amount of volatile oil present. 
“The remaining 13°57 per cent was then dissolved in absolute 
alcohol, a weighed portion taken and titrated with a solution of potash, 
phenolphthalein being used as an indicator. The presence of free fatty 
acids in considerable quantity was indicated, in addition to some neutral 
fat. 
‘On distillation of the powdered drug in a current of steam, scarcely 
one per cent of oil was obtained, owing to the difficulty with which it 
distilled. This was of a pale straw colour, with a pungent and rather dis- 
agreeable odour, somewhat like dried hops. It is soluble in alcohol, 
chloroform, and ether. 
“The following comparative tests were applied to the volatile oil. 
(Vide Braithwaite on Oil of Daphnidium Cubeba, Pharmaceutical Fournal 
(3), XVII.) : 
Reagent employed. Vol. Oil, P. Ribesioides. Vol. Oil, P. Cubeba. 
Sol. Bromine in Chloroform 1 | 
in 20... Yellow : ... | Yellow to Violet 
Sulphuric Acid in Chloroform | Brown-red, turning to Violet | Same 
The same with excess of | 
water ss ais ... | At first colourless, then Violet | Same 
Hydrochloric Acid... ... | Slight Violet oe ll Same 
Nitric Acid ... ra ... | Brown with Violet edges... Same 
“B. Extraction with Ether.—After extraction with petroleum ether 
the powder was dried and exhausted by percolation with ether. By this 
means 3°08 per cent of extract was obtained, of a black-brown colour, 
having an aromatic, rather bitter taste, and a slight odour. 
