x Transactions of the South African Philosophical Society. 



from the bulb of Buphane toxicaria, Herb., which was the cause 

 of death of two Kafir women. The bulb contained about f per 

 cent, of this alkaloid, which physiologically resembled brucine but 

 differed therefrom in its chemical reactions. 



An unidentified root, which brought about the death of a native 

 woman, yielded 1 per cent, of a resin which proved very rapidly 

 fatal to mice. 



Several examinations of Acocanthera venenata, Don, have been 

 made, chemical and physiological. The plant is highly poisonous, 

 paralysing the heart in systole. The most characteristic test for 

 the active principle — evidently an uncrystallisable glucoside — ■ 

 appears to be concentrated sulphuric acid, which produces at first 

 a yellow colour, changing into pink, then brick-red, and finally 

 becoming violet. 



A very energetic poison, probably a glucoside, was found in an 

 unidentified bulb from Tsolo. The most characteristic physiological 

 action appeared to be on the liver, which becomes much congested 

 and softened. Chemically the action with sulphuric acid is very 

 marked, a cherry-red colour being produced, changing into lake 

 and then into light pink. 



What seemed a non- crystalline glucoside was extracted from an 

 unidentified plant which had been taken, with fatal result, by a. 

 native at Nqamakwe. Concentrated sulphuric acid here produced 

 a bright vermilion colour, becoming in turn orange, yellow, and 

 greenish yellow. 



An acrid resin was obtained from Polygonum tomentosum, var. 

 glabrum. With sulphuric acid a bright pink colour was produced 

 changing through cherry-red and deep lake to a dirty brown, 

 and then fading to a greenish tint. The resin acted as a strong 

 depressant ; it constituted 2-J- per cent, of the dried root. 



The paper concluded with an expression of regret that such 

 important matters of research were only entered upon as side 

 issues to criminal trials, and urged the necessity of considering 

 such investigations as per se the recognised functions of the 

 Government Analytical Laboratories. 



Ordinary Monthly Meeting. 



May 31, 1905. 



Dr. J. D. R Gilchrist, President, in the Chair. 



The following nominations were made: H. S. Harger, Johannes- 

 burg, by E. L. L. Schwarz and L. Peringuey ; Dr. G. Potts, 



