N. 0. PASSIFLOR^. 577 



paine yields a colourless crystalline substance melting at 100°, and contain- 

 ing the nitroso-group unchanged ; the alkaloid on oxidation with potassium 

 permanganate in acid solution, gives rise to a variety of compounds which 

 are still under investigation —J. Ch. S. LXXII pt, I. (1897), p. 647. 



Since methylcarpaine, C 14 H 24 MeNO^, reacts with benzoic chloride, it 

 probably contains a hydroxyl group, A glucoside, carposide, has been 

 obtained from the leaves ; this crystallises in colourless needles, and is 

 insoluble in ether, but soluble in alcohol, and in water. Its aqueous solution 

 reduces Fehling's solution only after boiling with dilute sulphuric acid.— J. 

 Ch, S. LXXIV., pt. I. (1898), p. 283. 



Pure dried juice should give no reaction for starch with iodine, nor reduce 

 Fehling's solution before or after hydrolysis. 



" A question of importance to be settled is the most serviceable form of com- 

 mercial papain. And since prolonged moisture is deleterious, the juice should 

 be dried as soon as possible ; but heat is said to destroy its activity, hence 

 it should be dried at a low temperature. A preparation of this kind is sold 

 in commerce under the name of ' Finkler's Papain.' The best method to prepare 

 papain is to collect the juice of the unripe fruit, mix it with twice its own 

 volume of rectified spirit, let the mixture stand for a few hours, and then filter 

 off the insoluble matter and dry in vacuo or over calcium chloride at the ordinary 

 temperature of the atmosphere. After being powdered it should be kept 

 in well-stoppered bottles ready for use. In view of a possible trade either in 

 India or in Europe, manufacturers are recommended to observe carefully the 

 precautions just enumerated. On account of caste difficulties, it might not 

 prove possible to introduce animal pepsin very largely into use in India, but 

 a good vegetable substitute might be of much value and find a ready sale." 

 (Watt's Commercial Products of India.) 



523. Modecca Palmata Lam. h.f.b.l, ii. 603. 



Vern. : — Uncial (Concan). 



Habitat. — -Western Peninsula. 



A large perennial herb, becoming woody at base ; stems long, 

 thickened at nodes, cylindric, smooth, and shining, mottled 

 with purple and covered with a bloom, slightly branched. 

 Leaves large, 4-5in., broader than long, usually very deeply 

 palmately 5-lobed (rarely 3-lobed or undivided), very glabrous 

 and shining, especially beneath, lobes oval, narrowed at base, 

 shortly acuminate, acute, entire, veins conspicuous, vinous- red, 

 prominent beneath, where are often dots of red colour, and 

 between the bases of main veins 4 circular, flat, pellucid glands 

 as well as 2 large ones on the outer side of the lateral veins ; 

 73 



