4 
The Philippine Journal of Science 
191» 
Bureau, states that the feeding of fresh branches and pods of 
this tree had caused the death of many of their hogs. For 
this reason a chemical analysis was made of the pods, branches, 
and leaves and the presence of a poisonous alkaloid established. 
0.1015 gram of alkaloid gave 0.0725 gram of water and 0.2463 
gram of carbon dioxide, which gave 7.93 per cent hydrogen 
and 66.18 per cent carbon; 0.1000 gram of alkaloid gave 0.0685 
gram of water and 0.2385 gram of carbon dioxide, equal to 
7.61 per cent of hydrogen and 65.04 per cent of carbon ; 0.2016 
gram of alkaloid gave 0.1415 gram of water and 0.4971 gram 
of carbon dioxide equal to 7.80 per cent of hydrogen and 67.25 
per cent of carbon. 
Percentages of carbon, hydy'ogen, and nitrogen in alkaloid from Cassia 
siamea. 
Carbon, 
Hydrogen. 
Nitrogen. 
Sample 1 
66. 18 
7.93 
6.39 
Sample 2 
65.04 
7. 61 
Sample 3 
67.25 
7.80 
6. 60 
198. 47 
23.34 
10.99 
Average 
66.16 
7. 78 
6. 496 
These figures furnish data for an empirical formul^ for the 
alkaloid found in Cassia siamea, namely Cj^H^gNOg. With in- 
traperitoneal injections of 1 cubic centimeter of a 5 per cent 
solution of the hydrochloride large guinea pigs readily exhibited 
symptoms of poisoning, usually resulting in death. 
GEODORUM NUTANS AMES 
Philippine names: Camaog, lubi lubi (Visayan) ; cola (Taga- 
log, from the Spanish word cola, meaning “glue”). 
This plant is a terrestrial orchid that is found in thickets and 
in uncultivated open lands at low altitudes throughout the Phil- 
ippines, generally as scattered individuals, but occasionally 
abundant. Its only known use is that of an adhesive. The 
rhizomes are split and the pulp rubbed upon the surfaces to be 
glued. The plant is used throughout the Islands as a glue in 
the manufacture of stringed instruments. The water extraction 
of the plant gives a gum which is separated by precipitation 
with alcohol. This gum has exceptional strength and lasting 
power. The moisture content of the plant is 79.5 per cent. 
The yield of dry gum on the fresh plant is about 14 per cent, 
and on the moisture-free sample, 68.8 per cent. 
No substances of therapeutic value were found. 
