LEGUMINOSAE 



531 



Fig. 290. Tamarind ^Tamarindus indica). Fruit, flow- 

 ers and leaves. Fruit used in making a refreshing drink; 

 seeds furnish a glue. (After Faguet.) 



Retamin C^jH^^NOj^, is obtained from the young branches of Genista 

 sphaerocarpa. The seed of Trigonella Poenum-Graecum contains trigonellin 

 CjHjNOjj the same alkaloid is said to also occur in the pea, hemp and oats. 

 Physostigmin Cj^H^jNgO^, or eserin occurs in the ripe seed of Physostigma ven- 

 enosum. The so-called calabrin is a secondary product ; Rohinia Nicou is said to 

 contain nicoulin. Pancin Cj^HjjjN.O. is found in the fruit of Pentaclethra 

 macrophylla. 



Quite a number of the Leguminosae also contain glucosides. One of the 

 earliest discoveries made in connection with glucosides was of glycyrrhyzin 

 found in some species of Astragalus, Abrus prectorius, and the root stock of 

 Polypodium vulgare and other plants. The root of our wild licorice also con- 

 tains a glucoside to the extent of 8.53 per cent. Glycyrretin, found in licorice, 

 has the formula C^gHj^Oj. 



Ononis spinosa contains a glucoside ononid and a second glucoside, ononin, 

 CjjHg^Oj^g. Lupinin, C^gH^^Oj^, is a glucoside found in the seedlings of 

 Lupinus luteus, which through hydrolysis forms lupigin, C^^H^fi^. Gastrolo- 

 bin is found in the leaves and young branches of Gastrolobium bilobum; bap- 



