DISCOVERED ON THE JOHNSTONE RIVER, NORTH QUEENSLAND, 71 
Two other species of Zanthoxylum, viz., Z. torvum, F. v. M., 
and Z. brachyacanthum, F.v. M., and probably others of the same 
genus are likewise poisonous. 
Numerous experiments were made with extract of the bark of 
this tree upon dogs, cats, rats, frogs, and grasshoppers. 
It acts upon the spinal chord, increasing the reflex excitability, 
and finally paralysing the chor 
poisons grasshoppers, while strychnine has no action upon 
them. 
It tetanises frogs, even when applied to the at 
In its physiological action it resembles strychni 
The following may be taken as a typical ‘ects of the effect of 
this substance upon warm-blooded animals :—- 
Four grains of the alcoholic extract suspended in five minims of 
water and five of spirit were injected under the skin of a large cat. 
Immediately afterwards the cat was uneasy, would lie down, then 
raise itself, walk a little, and lie down again. In eighteen 
minutes a tremor of the ears and head was ‘noticed, the pupils 
were dilated, locomotion was affected ; the animal could only walk 
tremors were frequent, and power to walk almost gone. In thirty 
minutes there were convulsive contractions of the fore limbs and 
laboured, inspiration stertorous, the head hangs down, and the cat 
jerks itself backwards ; ; directly after the spasm goes off the cat 
ie exhausted. In forty-five minutes there was a tetanic 
spasm every minute, and the animal was expected to die every 
Seaivulncon. In fifty-five minutes tetanic spasms last about a 
quarter of a minute ; inspiration extremely laboured and prolonged, 
beat corr for two minute 4s Meat Four hours after 
death there was rigor mortis, the ‘right side of the heart was = 
and the left ventricle firmly contracted ; the intestine was b 
and contracted. 
With larger doses than five grains tetanic spasms come on 
rapidly, and the animals die in a few minutes. 
e dogs recover sometimes after five grains have been injected 
under their skin. 
