E. M. Watson. 
9fi 
(78) to be toxic and to have selective action on the liver, although subse- 
quently the feeding of half a pound of the plant daily to each of two sheep 
for eight weeks failed to produce any evidence of liver cirrhosis (Bennetts, 
priv. comm.). Species of the closely related genus Ereehthites are also known 
to contain similar alkaloids. In the same family, Xanthium spin os urn L. is* 
recorded (21) as containing an alkaloid with an intense action on the central 
nervous system, while BraeJiycome graminea (Cass.) F. Muell. has given 
doubtful positive reactions for alkaloids. The genus E dipt a is of interest 
since the Indian species E. a-ba Hassk. ha- been shown (79) to contain 
nicotine. 
The seed- of Strychnos luckla R. Br. have been examined in New 
South Wales (21) and material from Kunmunya Mission in the Kimberleys 
has been shown (80) to contain both strychnine (about 0-8 per cent.) and 
brucine (about 1.5 per cent.). Dodonaea vis cos a is recorded (32) as being- 
used as a fish poison and to contain an alkaloid which has stimulant pro- 
perties similar to those of coca. Tetragonia e.rpansa has been found by 
Finnemore (21) to contain alkaloids in addition to the saponin already 
mentioned. Crinum asiaticum L. contains lycorine which is fairly widely 
distributed in the family Amaryllidaceae. 
Among introduced plants, the chemistry of the alkaloids of the spotted 
hemlock, Conium maculatum L., has been thoroughly worked out. Lolium 
temulenturn L. often contains a poisonous fungus (Endoconidium temu- 
lentum ) in its seeds from which the alkaloid temuline was isolated by 
Hofmeister in 1892. The grass has been recorded by Carne and Gardner 
(81) as producing intoxication, particularly in pigs. The same fungus is 
believed to occur in rye grass, L. perenne. Lithuspermum arvense L. con- 
tains the alkaloid cynoglossine which has a curare-like action, and possibly 
consolidine with which it is often associated. The cape lilac, Melia azedarach 
L-, has been stated (82) to contain azaridine in its fruits. The alkaloid 
mesembrine has been isolated (83) from Crypto pliytum crystallinum (L.) 
N. E. Brown and from more than twenty other species of this and related 
genera of the Mesembryeae. It resembles cocaine in its action but its local 
anaesthetic properties are much weaker. Vida sativa contains the purine 
alkaloids vicine, convicine and vernine, the latter also being present in 
Trifolium pratense L. Brassica nigra (L.) Koch, contains sinapine in its 
seeds. In the family Papaveraceae, the introduced poppy, Papaver lmbridfam 
I. contains alkaloids and the Mexican poppy, Ar gem one mexieana L., con- 
tains berberine and protopine, but in neither of these, nor in P. aeuleatum 
Thunb., is morphine present. 
Among indigenous plants which suggest themselves for examination for 
alkaloids is a big group in the order Contortae from the families Apocynaceae 
and Asclepiadaceae. In particular, the genera Al stoma, Wrightia, Asclepias > 
Cynanchnm , Tylophora and Marsdenia, of which numerous species are 
known to contain alkaloids, should be investigated. Of equal importance is 
the genus Lobelia and possibly Isotoma while other species worth considera- 
tion are Erythrina vespertilio Benth., Sarcocephalus coadu'natus (Sm.) 
Druce and possibly Dioscorea hasti folia Endl. and Salsola Kali L. 
(c) Plants Containing Nitrates. 
The presence of nitrites in plants can gi\ e rise to toxic symptoms in 
animals through the conversion of haemoglobin into methaemoglobin, so 
interfering with the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood. Nitrates, 
