NOTES ON STEPHANIA HERNANDIiEFOLIA. 
277 
the young roots, &c. The action can, to a great extent, be remedied 
by the addition of a small quantity of gypsum to the soil prior to 
irrigation. The amount of alkaline carbonates present in these 
waters is much too small to condemn them for irrigation purposes. 
ANALYSIS OF WATER FROM YOUNGERRINA BORE. 
Depth, 108 feet ; temperature, 82° Pah. ; flow per diem, estimated 
20,000 gallons. 
Grains per gallon. 
In 1,000 parts. 
Total fixed matter ... 
. 32-984 
•4712 
Soluble saline matter 
.. 31*892 
•455G 
Insoluble mineral matter ... 
. 1-092 
*0150 
Chlorine in combination ... 
5*100 
•0728 
Equal to chloride of sodium 
.. 8*404 
•1200 
The soluble saline matter consists 
mainly of alkaline carbonates, 
chloride ot sodium, sulphuric acid, &c. The insoluble matter almost 
entirely consists of silica, with traces of carbonates of lime and 
magnesia. Water clear, free from odour and matters in suspension. 
Before evaporation, and after, gave a strong alkaline reaction. Suit- 
able for domestic uses, and stock and irrigation purposes. 
References . — The author desires to express his indebtedness to the 
following : — 
(1.) Iiilgard, E. W., Prof. Reports of Examinations of Water and 
Water Supply; University of California. 
(2.) Powell, J. W. Eleventh Annual Report for 1889-90; Part II., 
Irrigation ; United States Geological Survey. 
(3.) Lahore Public Works Department. Report on Reh, Swamp, 
and Drainage of the Western Jumna Canal Districts, 1881. 
(4.) Boult bee, J. W., Officer in Charge of Water Conservation, 
for various Reports. 
(5.) David, T. W., Prof. Artesian Waters in New South Wales; 
Royal Society of New South Wales, November 4, 1891. 
8. — SOME NOTES ON THE POISONOUS CONSTITUENTS OF 
STEP RANI A HERN A NDI2EF0 LI A. 
By E. H. BENNIE, M.A., D.Sc.,and E. F. TURNER 
Some time ago we published (Proc. Roy. Soc., S. Australia) a 
note in which we announced that we had separated and identified 
picrotoxin as one of the constituents of the abovenamed plant, but in 
which we also stated that, as suspected by Dr. T. L. Bancroft, there is 
one alkaloid at least present in addition. It would appear from 
subsequent correspondence with Dr. Bancroft that he thinks that 
scarcely sufficient prominence was given to the presence of this 
alkaloid in the note referred to. If so, the neglect on our part was 
quite unintentional. Since then we have endeavoured to isolate this 
alkaloid in larger quantity, and to examine it more thoroughly, but our 
efforts have been only partially successful. There is, however, 
undoubtedly a very poisonous alkaloid present, which, so far as we 
