CHEMICAL AND MICROSCOPICAL INVESTIGATIONS. 
15 
astringent matter. From these data, it seems to follow that the leaves will not supply a material for the extraction 
of Quinine, but that they will nevertheless be very useful when used fresh or in recently prepared decoction or 
infusion for the cure of the fevers of the country.” 
Towards the end of June, 1863, Dr. Anderson, of the Botanic Gardens, Calcutta, began, with Dr. 
Simpson, to examine chemically the nature of the leaves of C. succirubrci, and reports, on the 25th July, 
having obtained “little needle-shaped crystals in a fluid obtained from the leaves of the Cinchona.” In a 
subsequent letter, dated the 7th August of the same year, Dr. Anderson says, “ I have the honour to inform 
you that I have to-day received intelligence from England of the discovery of Quinine in small quantities in 
the leaves of Cinchona sent from this country. Quinine obtained from the leaves was exhibited by Mr. 
Howard, at the meeting of the Linnean Society, London, on the 18th June, 1863.” 
In December of the same year, I gave a further report on the leaves, which I subjoin : — 
“ Several pounds’ weight of leaves (well dried, aud with a marked tea-like fragrance) have allowed me the 
opportunity of following various lines of experiment in order to ascertain their probable commercial value. I regret 
to be obliged to confirm the opinion I expressed in my last, that the leaves will not supply material for the 
extraction of Quinine, although the quantity of the first rough precipitate from an acid solution — having the appear- 
ance of a hydrated alkaloid — -is considerably more than I succeeded in obtaining before, being equal to 1 - 31 per 
cent, of the weight of the leaves. Of this, a small portion was soluble in ether to the extent of OH 7 per cent.,* 
forming a clear yellow solution, which precipitates on the addition of a solution of oxalic acid in spirit of wine. 
Nevertheless, the further prosecution of the inquiry, and the attempt to purify the alkaloid, showed me clearly that 
I had to do with a state of things very different from that which existed in the bark , and that I should not succeed in 
obtaining an available salt of Quinine.” 
I remark further that “ the alkaloid exists in the leaves in very intimate relationship with the green 
colouring-matter” (chlorophyll), and this is important in reference to the present investigation, for if the 
leaves were called upon for a fresh flow of sap, descending at once to where the denuded portion of the 
wood called for fresh clothing, it is but reasonable to suppose we should find something of the same very 
marked peculiarity, — as is, indeed, always characteristic of the bark of the young twigs, which stand next to 
the leaves in the nature of their product, as they do also in course of the sap circulation. So far from 
anything like this being the case, we have markedly the reverse characters; indeed, the presence of 
chlorophyll (though so important an element in the vigour of the plant) seems not correlative with that 
of the alkaloids, and it is entirely absent in the rich renewed bark of the C. succirubra as received from 
the East Indies. 
Dr. Herapath has found optical results of very considerable interest arise from examination of the 
above constituents of the leaves ; especially an alcoholic solution of the chlorophyll which I sent him gave 
in the spectroscope extraordinary results, agreeing with the properties of chlorophyll from the leaves of 
hyoscyamus, digitalis, tea, senna, and some other plants. Dr. Herapath remarks truly, “ There must be some 
cause why solutions which have such equally green tints to the eye should present such different optical 
effects, and the most probable is the existence of different substances in these leaves.” 
Course of the Ascending Sap. 
Next to the leaves come the very small twigs, which seem to partake more of the character impressed 
by the ascending than that of the descending sap. I quote as an illustration from my report (June, 1861) 
on “ Bark from the spray or small portions of the same branches as No. 1 :” — “ Erom this I did not 
succeed in obtaining more than (MX) per cent, of impure alkaloid, which lost one-half in the attempt 
to purify, since the alkaloids are much implicated with tannin (apparently) and not capable of easy 
crystallization.” 
* In April, 1867, Mr. Broughton reports that from four pounds of the leaves of 0. succirubra he “ succeeded in obtaining 
3*10 grains of alkaloid, of which about one grain was soluble in ether, and gave a faint indication of Quinine when tested with 
chlorine-water and ammonia.” 
