184 The Philippine Journal of Science isn 



taste and no traces of alkaloids. The ether solution gave a small 

 quantity of aromatic acid resin and traces of the same essential 

 oil. After dilution and precipitation of the coloring matter with 

 the chloroform, the aqueous solution was evaporated on the steam 

 bath, and the product was purified according to the method 

 previously used. The same alkaloid was found to be present 

 in the leaves, but seemingly in lesser quantity than in the bark. 



In both cases the exhausted plant material was finally macer- 

 ated with hot water. The water extract showed but little of the 

 alkaloid not extracted by the organic solvents. Neither acid 

 nor alkaline extractions of the original plant material were made 

 for the reason that evaporation of such solutions prepared from 

 the isolated alkaloid showed a marked decomposition on heating. 

 Solutions of the free alkaloid as prepared from approximately 

 neutral solution could be evaporated to dryness without vacuum 

 and without any apparent decomposition. The salts were readily 

 decomposed by warming on the steam bath. 



Two cubic centimeters of a 10 per cent solution of the free 

 alkaloid produced apparent, great weakness when injected into 

 a guinea pig. The animal recovered. About 0.8 gram given to a 

 dog produced apparent weakness, a desire to sleep, and a slow- 

 ing of the heart action. There were no signs of pain. The 

 animal recovered its normal activities after two hours had 

 elapsed. 



Lunasia amara contains an alkaloid or possibly two alkaloids 

 that have some physiological activity. 



ROUREA ERECTA (BLANCO). MERRILL (CONNARACE^) 



Palo santo (Sp.-F. in Rizal), camagsang baguing (T. in Rizal), 

 lenamo (Cuyo Island), malagranada (F. in Bulacan), and gango 

 (II. in Ilocos Norte). 



The name camagsang baguing is better applied to Rourea 

 volubilis (Blanco) Merrill. 



The family Connaraceae, to which this plant belongs, yields 

 few drug-producing plants. With the exception of two species 

 of Agelaea, two of Connarus, one of Cnestis, and another of 

 Rourea, all are employed in popular medicine wherever they 

 grow, though none go beyond the limits of quackery. The 

 family is of slight importance in materia medica. The seeds of 

 Rourea are poisonous. 



It may be generally stated that the Connaracese are charac- 

 terized by the presence in their tissues of astringent elements 

 and balsamic resins. Judging from the uses indicated by Fili- 



