PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS — SECTION B. 
39 
meadows that it is dangerous to allow stocK to graze in them. The 
plant has been investigated by Walz,* * * § who finds its active principle 
to be a bitter glticoside, which lie has termed gratiolin. It is 
poisonous, slowing the heart’s action. In view of this, I would 
recommend our species of G-ratiola to be used with caution. 
Verbenacece. — Mr. F, M. Bailey reports that the Javanese on the 
Johnstone liiver, Queensland, used the bark of Callicarpa longifolia, 
Linn., as a substitute for betel leaf in chewing betel-nut. I know of 
no Callicarpa which has been chemically examined. C. longifolia may 
therefore, perhaps, be taken in hand, although the Natural Order is 
not one from which much may be expected. 
Phylolaccece. — The bark of Codonocarpus cotinifolius , F. v. M., 
contains a peculiar bitter, and perhaps possesses medicinal properties. 
The bark is smooth, and, when quite fresh, of a pinkish colour. The 
leaves resemble horse-radish or turnips in taste. Although often 
known as Quinine-tree, the taste is quite distinct from quinine. 
In describing another species (G Y . australis ), Hookerf says — “ While 
dissecting the flowers and fruit, they were found to diffuse a most 
powerful smell, resembling that of ether.” It might be desirable to 
subject plants of this genus to chemical examination. 
Monimiacece. — The so-called Tasmanian and Victorian Sassafras 
( Atherosperma moschata , Labill.), which has for many years been used 
as a bush remedy, and which has been tried as a remedy in heart 
disease, must, according to Stockman, J be removed from the list of 
really useful medicinal substances. It will be sufficient to refer to his 
paper and his conclusions at the close. 
A plant which is worthy of thorough investigation by the chemist 
is Dap Imandra rcpandula , F. v. M., which, perhaps, contains more than 
one alkaloid. Dr. T. L. Bancroft has used a tincture of the bark of 
this species and also of D. miermtha , Benth., in heart disease. His 
observations§ are mostly of a physiological nature, and it is highly 
desirable that the active principles which have produced the effects 
described should be isolated. 
A plant which promises to be of interest to the chemist is the 
imperfectly known Pipto calyx Moorei , Oliv., which is provisionally 
referred to the same Natural Order. It is a climbing plant with 
inconspicuous flowers, found in the mountain ranges between Grafton 
and Armidale, New Bouth Wales, where it is known as Bitter-vine. 
It may be, and I trust will prove to be, quite harmless, but inasmuch 
as trial shipments have been made to Europe to test its value as a hop 
substitute, we require to know beyond doubt what its physiological 
effects are. Mr. J. C. Umney has the plant in hand, and has found a 
bitter crystal Usable substance in it of a glueosidal character, and we 
await with interest the conclusion of his experiments. 
Laurinea . — The recent researches of Greshoff|| on the barks of 
some Javanese species, and the discovery in them of an alkaloid 
* Jahrb. Pharra., xiv M xxi., xxiv. ; 5J. Jahrb. Pharm., x. 
f Bot. MiscelL, i., 245. 
J “On the Action of the Volatile Oil of Atherosperma moschata ” — Pharm. Journ. 
[3], xxiii., 512. 
§ Proc. R.S. N.S.W., xx., 69 (1886); Proc. R.S. Qd., v. (1887); Trans. 
Intercol. Med. Congress, ii. (Melbourne, 1890). 
Ber., xxiii., 3537 ; Journ. Chem. Soc., lx., 337. 
