244 
undergoes an extra purification; if this be desirable here it should 
also be used in the case of the seeds. — Ann J. Pharm., Phila.. 1906, 
v. 78, p. 455. 
Francis, John M., reports 17 lots of colchicum root which varied 
from 0.2 to 0.4 per cent. — Proc. Am. Pharm. Ass., 1906, v. 54, p. 336. 
Smith, Kline & French Co. report on the examination of 2 samples 
of colchicum root which contained, respectively, 0.48 and 0.50 per cent 
colchicine. — Lab. Rep. S. K. & F., 1906, p. 16. 
Moerk, Frank X., points out that the extract of colchicum conn 
represents four times the strength of the drug. — Proc. Pennsylvania 
Pharm. Ass., 1906, p. 159. 
COLCHICI SEMEN. 
The Ph. Brit. Committee of Reference in Pharmacy report on col- 
chicum seed says: If the suggestion of the international conference 
to use seeds, and not conn, be adopted for galenical preparations, 
the finished preparation should be assayed. — Chem. & Drug., Lond., 
1906, v. 69, p. 863. 
Schieffelin, Wm. Jay, speaking for the committee of the X. W. 
D. A., suggested that the standard for colchicum seed be reduced 
from 0.56 per cent of colchicine to 0.45 per cent. — Am. Druggist, 
X. Y., 1906, v. 49, p. 347. 
Dohme, A. R. L., reports that seven reputable chemists operating 
upon the same sample of colchicum. by the same process, found from 
0.55 to 0.84 per cent of alkaloid. — Ibid., v. 49, p. 268. 
Lyons, A. B., believes that the U. S. P. assay process for colchicum 
seed could readily be improved upon. For rapid work he has found 
that titration with Mayers reagent in a strongly acid solution is 
quite satisfactory, the results checking well with the gravimetric 
determinations. — Proc. Am. Pharm. Ass., 1906, v. 54. p. 439. 
Panchaud, Adalbert, discusses the quantitative determination of 
colchicine in colchicum and elaborates on a previously published sug- 
gestion to precipitate the colchicine from a solution in an ether-chlo- 
roform mixture by means of petroleum ether. — Schweiz. Wchnschr. f. 
Chem. u. Pharm., 1906, v. 44, pp. 563, 564. 
Francis, John M., assayed 11 lots of colchicum seed which varied 
from 0.5 to 0.6 per cent of alkaloids. — Proc. Am. Pharm. Ass., 1906, 
a*. 54, p. 336. 
Evans Sons Lescher and Webb report on a sample of colchicum 
seed which was more sticky than usual. Compared with a standard 
sample for glucose, both yielded approximately 1 per cent with 
Fehling's solution. — Analytical Xotes. for 1906, 1907, p. 15. 
The annual report of Philipp Roder. Wien, suggests that tincture 
of colchicum should be of a designated specific gravity, in addition 
