57 
The leaves of C. australe A. Cunn. et Fraser contain saponin, rewlily recognised by the strong 
frothing of an extract ; I could not detect any saponin in the seeds. 
The seed is edible but rather indigestible. Observations in Australia had already shown that the 
leaves are harmful to cattle. The saw-dust from the wood of Gastanospermum greatly irritates the mucous 
membranes (saponin !) (p. 405.) 
Clematis should be examined. See p. 406. 
Kochia (Chenopodiaceae). 
The leaf of K. scoparia Schrad. contains saponin, as do the seeds of this species and of K. arenaria 
Roth. The seeds of K. trichophy/la Hort. yielded an extract which frothed up to a dilution of 1-700 and 
caused complete haemolysis at 1-250. Kochia is now a much esteemed ornamental plant known as 
" Summer Cypress." The species examined is used to some extent as a popular remedy in Southern 
Europe, e.g., as a diuretic, (p. 412.) 
Our esteemed cotton bushes belong to the genus Kochia. 
Olearia (Composite). 
The herb G. macrodonta Bak. was found to contain saponin. Olearia ( = Eurybia Cass.) is closely 
related to Aster and to Erigeron. (p. 413.) 
Australia is, of course, very rich in the genus Olearia. 
Pittosporum (PittosporaceaeV 
At Kew I was able to examine various species of this genus. Saponin was found in the leaves 
of P. cornifolium A. Cunn., P. crassifoliun Soland., P. erioloma C. Moore et F. Muell., P. eugenioides 
A. Cunn., P. Huttonianum Kirk, P. rhombifolium A. Cunn., P. Tobira Ait., P. undulatum Vent. 
Tannin is also present in these leaves. The cause of the persistent bitter taste, possessed especially by 
P. Buchanani Hook., P. eugenioides A. Cunn., P. rhombifolium A. Cunn., and P. undulatum Vent, has 
not yet been investigated ; an alkaloid is only present in traces. Billardiera longiflora Labill. closely 
allied to Pittosporum, also contains saponin. 
At Haarlem I found saponin a good many years ago in the leaves of Pittonporum Tobira, from 
the University Botanic Garden at Leiden. 
The fruits of P. phillyraeoides DC., yielded an extract frothing at 1-4,000 and haemolytic at 
1-1,500. The dry leaf of P. undulatum even gives an extract frothing at 1-1,200, with haemolysis at 
1-1,500. 
The fairly common occurrence of saponin in this natural order has already been repeatedly remarked. 
Some species (P. coriaceum Ait., P. mridiflorum Sims) are even known as soap-substitutes in their native 
countries. The use of P. javanicum Bl. as a fish-poison doubtless also depends on the high saponin 
content of this plant. The saponin of P. undulatum Vent, was examined in London in 1904 by Miss 
Hooper, and the essential oil in 1906 by Power. (Pharm. Journ. 1904, 538 ; 1906, 755). (p. 414.) 
Psoralea (Leguminosae-Papilionacee). 
1 have examined the leaf of P. macrostachya, DC. at Kew and the seeds at Haarlem ; both 
contained saponin, especially the leaf. 
Many members of this suborder contain saponin. The root of P. glandulosa L. acts as an emetic, 
and the leaves, for instance, are used as ar. anthelmintic. P. tenuiflora Pursh. is regarded as poisonous, 
and is avoided by cattle, (p. 416.) 
The genus is not uncommon in Australia. 
Tetragonid (Ficoidese). 
The shoots of T. expansa Murr. contain much saponin, but not the feeds. 
Saponin had previously been found in this order in Trianthema. Presumably the saponin 6* 
Tetragonia is but slightly poisonous, as it is used as a vegetable ; in boiling the leaves the saponin would 
moreover in general be removed with the water, (p. 418.) 
