XIV, 1 Wells: Philippine Medicinal Plants: 111 3 
of acetone were added to this solution; after mixing, it was 
made alkaline with sodium hydroxide. This is a method of 
Gaze. (29) A greenish yellow crystalline substance separates 
therefrom (see Plate I). The pure crystalline berberine ob- 
tained by the decomposition of the berberine acetone compound 
is dark golden brown, but it is slightly lightened in color by 
purification with alcohol. 
Quantitative determinations made on the plant substance show 
approximately 4.8 per cent of pure alkaloid in the moisture- 
free material. 
Combustion of the alkaloid, when freed from as much water 
of crystallization as is possible without apparent decomposition, 
gave the following results: 
Determination No. 1. — 0.15 gram of substance gave 0.0788 
gram of water and 0.3876 gram of carbon dioxide. 
Determination No. 2. — 0.15 gram of substance gave 0.0771 
gram of water and 0.3854 gram of carbon dioxide. 
Theoreticallj^ the combustion of water-free berberine gives 
carbon 71.64 per cent and hydrogen 5.07 per cent. Determina- 
tion No. 1 shows carbon 70.47 per cent and hydrogen 5.84 per 
cent. Determination No. 2 shows carbon 70.47 per cent and 
hydrogen 5.63 per cent. Nitrogen found in the alkaloid 
amounted to 4.03 per cent. 
Arcangelisia flava (Linn.) Merr. is believed to have a larger 
percentage of alkaloid than any other plant found in the Phil- 
ippines; and, should the therapeutic value of berberine become 
very important, even a small plant for the recovery of this al- 
kaloid would develop into a paying industry. The above cal- 
culations, together with the qualitative tests expressed, are suffi- 
cient to establish the presence of berberine in Arcangelisia flava 
(Linn.) Merr. 
CASSIA SIMEA LAM. (LEGUMINOSAE) 
In the Philippines this tree occurs in cultivation only. It is 
commonly planted as a shade tree in Manila and in other large 
towns of the Archipelago. It is known by its Spanish name 
acacia, which is also applied to other trees of the same fam- 
ily. Cassia fiorida Vahl is a synonym. I can find no record 
of the tree serving any other useful purpose in the Philippine 
Islands than that of giving shade. 
A search of the literature revealed no record of any active 
principles found in this plant. However, a recent communica- 
tion from Father Algue, director of the Philippine Weather 
