ON EUCALYPTUS KINOS. \) l 



substances to be most easily isolated. The chemistry of 

 the kinos appears to run in a parallel direction, so that it 

 is possible by following down the species, to find a kino in 

 which a required tannin occurs in a maximum amount. 



As two only of these kino tannins appear to gelatinize 

 in tinctures, the cause of the gelatinization may perhaps be 

 indicated. The latest suggestion is that advanced by Mr. 

 E. White 1 where he endeavours to show that the formation 

 of gelatinized tincture of kino is due to the presence of an 

 enzyme. Whether this is so can only be completely solved 

 by its isolation. If an enzyme is the cause then it seems 

 strange that it only acts on certain of these kino tannins, 

 if an oxydase then the product of its action does not form 

 a solid compound with one at least of these tannins. That 

 some action of this sort does take place is suggested by the 

 rapidity with which some of the tannins in Eucalyptus kinos 

 may be made to gelatinize by the addition of a very small 

 amount of formaldehyde, and in a lesser degree by acetalde- 

 liyde. The rapidity of the gelatinization brought about by 

 the addition of a few drops of formaldehyde, or of acet- 

 aldehyde, can be seen from the tabulated results (Table I.) 

 These results are comparable with those obtained with the 

 tinctures tested by age alone in the ordinary way. The 

 test seems to be a reliable one and by its aid it appears 

 possible to determine whether a kino will gelatinize in 

 tinctures or not. No doubt the test is a severe one and 

 will detect all kinos that might possibly gelatinize. 



Although it may not be easy to isolate the unorganised 

 ferment, if such is present, yet, it is not difficult to isolate 

 and grow the organised substance which appears to be 

 present in most Eucalyptus kinos. This substance is easily 

 obtained from those kinos which gelatinize the most readily. 

 It always grows at the bottom of the diluted aqueous kino 



1 Pharm. Joura., May 1903, p. 644, and Nov. 1903, p. 702. 

 G— Aug. 3, 1904. 



