N. 0. PAPAVERACEiE. 70 



The Secondary Alkaloids. 



The amorphous basic mixture, obtained after the separation of thebaine and 

 isothebaine, contains 2 alkaloids without, and at least 3 with phenolic 

 properties. 



(Chemical Abstracts for February 10, 1915, pp. 298-300.) 



The non-phenolic alkaloids consist of protopine, m. pt. 204°-205°C. and 

 an amorphous alkaloid very soluble in organic solvents, whilst the phenolic 

 alkaloids consist of a new alkaloid, glucidine, m. pt. about 238°-239°C., (a) D 

 about -f 47 to -f- 54°, giving color reactions similar to, and apparently closely 

 related to, glaucine, and a mixture of amorphous alkaloids too small in amount 

 to separate and characterise— J. Ch. I. for October 31, 1914, p. 1026. 



62. Argemone mexicana, Linn, h.f.b.i., i. 117. 

 Roxb. 426. 



Engl : — The Mexican or Prickly Poppy. 



Sanskrit : — Srigala-Kanta ; brahmadandi. 



Vern.: — Bharbhand, piladhutura, farangi-dhutura, ujar-Kanta 

 Shial-kantn, sial-kanta (H.) ; Baro-Sliial kanta (B.); Gokuhla 

 janum (Santal) ; Bharbhurwa, ETarwah kantela (N.-W. P.) ; 

 Kandiari, Snlkanta bhatmil, Satyanasa, bherband, Katci, bhat- 

 kateya (Pb.) ; Farangi dhatura, bharamdandi, daruri, pila- 

 dhatura (Dack.') ; Darudi (Guj.); Firangidhotra, daruri, pinvala- 

 dhotra, kante-dhotra (Mar.) ; Biratna-dandu, Kurukkum-Chedi, 

 (Tarn.) ; Brahma daudi-chettu (Tel.) ; Datturi, datturi-gidda 

 (Kan.) ; Brahma-danti (Mai J ; Kanta-kusham (Uriya). 



Habitat : — By roadside and Simla 5,000 ft., in fields through- 

 out India. 



An erect, prickly, robust annual herb, with copious yellow 

 juice and rigid prickles, growing wild in rich roadside places 

 and rice-fields, after the crops of rice-plants are cut down ; stem 

 sometimes half-woody below, 2-4 ft., with spreading branches. 

 Leaves 3-7 in., amplexicaul, glaucous-green, blotched with white, 

 deeply repand, sinuate, pinnatifid, with thorny teeth. Peduncles 

 erect, both before and after flowering. Flowers yellow, scentless 

 1-3 in. diam. Calyx glabrous and prickly ; sepals horned at the 

 top. Petals 4-6; stamens numerous. Stigmas 4-5, radiating 

 free, red. Capsules f-lj in. long, terete, prickly, 4-5-valved ; 

 obovate, or elliptic-oblong, 1-celled ; opening by valves at the 

 apex. Seeds spherical, shining, black, pitted. 



