1906.] On the Poison, Plants of Western Australia. 489 



In view of the presence of saponin, quercitrin, or allied bodies in plants 

 of this group, reported by Professors Stockman and Dunstan, special search 

 was instituted for these two bodies, but with negative results. 



Toxic Action of Cygnine. — During the course of the research, the poisonous 

 nature of the products obtained was from time to time established. With 

 cygnine hydrochloride the following tests were made, with the assistance of 

 Doctor Blackburne, Government Bacteriologist. 



One-tenth of a grain of the hydrochloride dissolved in a few minims of 

 water, and injected subcutaneously into a guinea-pig weighing 568 grammes, 

 killed the animal in 7 minutes. One-twentieth of a grain killed another 

 guinea-pig (348 grammes) in 22 minutes. Confirmatory evidence was 

 also obtained by an experiment on a sheep. Seven grains of the salt in 

 aquepus solution was injected into a sheep weighing 50 to 60 lbs. The first 

 spasm was manifested 5 minutes after injection ; in 6 minutes the animal fell 

 to the ground in a rigid condition, and was subjected to renewed spasms up 

 to 12 minutes after injection, when death ensued. 



The following is an extract from Dr. Blackburne's notes on the first 

 experiment : — 



"After remaining quiet for 2 or 3 minutes it became rigid, with head 

 stretched forward, then returned to normal, but in a minute or so rapid 

 convulsions came on. The teeth could be heard to shut with a snap, the 

 body became rigid, but there was no obvious opisthotonos. These spasms 

 occurred three or four times in 7 minutes ; the animal was quite dead. 

 A post-mortem examination was immediately made. There was marked 

 venous engorgement throughout the parenchymatous organs and the lungs, 

 and all the large veins were much dilated. There was no local reaction 

 at the point of injection. The heart was greatly overfilled, every chamber 

 being much distended with dark blood. One hour and a-half afterwards, the 

 heart (still in situ) responded to stimuli. Death was due evidently to 

 asphyxia, probably secondary to convulsions. It would appear from this 

 that the poison belongs to that group of which the principal one is 

 strychnine/' 



Isolation of the Alkaloid from the " Box " Poison Plant, Oxylobium parviflorum. 



Zobine, C23H31N3O4. 



Experience having been gained in the examination of the " York Koad " 

 plant, the same kind of treatment was adopted in this case. The temperature 

 throughout the whole investigation was kept as low as possible, never being 

 allowed to rise above 35° C. 



By this means a crystalline hydrochloride was obtained. This salt 



