Vol. V, No. 3.] On Coptis. 87 
[W.S.] 
They come, he says, from Szechuen and they are undoubtedly 
. Teeta var. chinensis. chemical investigation of them will be 
undertaken i in the hope of getting some useful information. The 
roots of all species of Coptis apparently contain berberine which 
is their yellow bitter. Besides berberine C. trifolia is known to 
contain ‘‘a white crystalline alkaloid which has been called 
coptine, int concerning the identity of which nothing is known, 
except that it dissolves in Regie Ae: sulphuric acid without 
colour, eseuiine purple arming’’ (vide Hale, we 
Rusby, etc., The Nesdseniaid Biewiend Dispensatory, New Yor 
1905, p. 1304). The amount of berberine weighed as mina 
in Coptis trifolia roots is 8 per cent. (teste Schultz in American 
E ig 
Ze 
HM Ss 
From the seventh 7 of the Phonzo Zufu. It un- 
iootseaty: A Coptis brachypetala 
Journal of Pharmacy quoted in Pharmaceutical Journal and 
Tietisit ied series 3, tg p. 973). 
conclus usions, then @ :—{i) that it is a variety of Coptis 
M 
Teeta, ‘witioh 3 is the plant cultivated i in China and named by Fran- 
chet Coptis chinensis, (it) that Japan produces wild and cultivates 
Coptis anemonefolia, the roots of which seem to be used medi- 
cinally, (27) that closely allied to Coptis anemonefolia occur in 
Japan, both wild and in cultivation, plants called Coptis orien- 
talis by various authors, and Coptis occidentalis ‘e by ae aaeee 
oc 
iminatio 
(tv) that, so it seems, the Mishmis get part o os supply o of 
roots by cultivation. We must now ask oursel es (i) in what 
way the growth of the root is affected by ouitirebce in reuiois 
