CRUDE DRUGS. 



545 



Surinam Quassia usually occurs in small billets ; the medul- 

 lary rays are i to 2 cells wide in transverse section, and calcium 

 oxalate crystals are wanting (Fig. 239, B). 



Constituents. — Jamaica quassia contains from 0.05 to 0.75 

 per cent, of a bitter crystalline substance quassiin. This really 

 consists of two crystalline bitter principles — a-picrasmin and 



Fig. 239. A, transverse section of Jamaica quassia; B, transverse section of Surinam 

 quassia;' g, tracheas; f, wood-fibers; hp, wood parenchyma; o, cells containing calcium 

 oxalate; m, medtillary rays. — After Meyer. 



j8-picrasmin. Jamaica Quassia also contains a crystalline alka- 

 loidal principle which gives a blue fluorescence in acidified alco- 

 holic solution. 



Surinam quassia contains one or more bitter principles, which 

 are related to the picrasmins of Jamaica quassia, and which are 

 known as quassiins. 



35 



