65 
A FEW NOTES ON SAPONINS. 
(Poisonous "Vegetable Soaps.") 
A Saponin is a member of a group of glucosides which are characterised hy 
the property of producing a soapy lather. Commercial Saponin is obtained as an 
amorphous powder principally from the Soap-bark of Chili (Quillaja saponaria), 
a flattish pale bark which is used for washing silk, and also by ladies for washing 
the hair, to which it imparts a glossy appearance. 
M. Bernardin* published a pamphlet on Saponin-yielding substances in 
1875. 
Dr. Manuel Urbina published a short paper on "Los Amoles Mexicanos," in 1897, in which he 
listed 21 species of plants used as araole. 
In the list which follows 30 species are recorded. So far as known I have given the Mexican 
name and the part of the plant used. 
Soap Plants of Mexico. 
Systematic Name. 
Common Name. 
Parts used. 
KHAMNACKAK : 
Fruit. 
SAPINDACEAB : 
Sapindus GcUeotti Gray 
Fruit. 
So-pinditJ* intqttcUii DC. ... 
do. 
do. 
Sapindu* saponaria Is 
Fruit (?). 
Sapindus sp.. 
Fruit. 
LKCUMINOSAK : 
Entada polystackya DC 
Bejuco de amole 
Wood. 
Kntzrolohium cyclocarpum Griseb 
Iluinecaetle 
Bark and pods. 
CCCTJRBITACEAE : 
Fruit and vine. 
do. 
PHYTOLACCACEAB : 
Phytolacca icosandra Ij 
Amole 
Roots. 
DrOPCORRACKAE : 
PlPBRACEAE : 
Piper Pcttrneri C DC 
LILIACEAE : 
Amole 
Roots and rootstocks. 
AMABTLLIDACRAE : 
( Agave proper.) 
Roots took . 
Leaves. 
( Manfreda.) 
Amole, lechuguilla... . 
Rootstock. 
do 
do. 
do 
do. 
do. 
Amole 
do. 
P 7 f/ f ' 'tit- Watson 
do. 
Bulbs. 
Contribution* from the U.S. National Herbarium, Vol. 5, p. 236. 
* "Classification de 40 Savons V<Sg6taux," pp. 11, 8vo. Oand (Ghent). 
