N. O. APOCYNAOE®. 
779 
after separation of the chloroform, the liquid was rendered alkaline with 
ammonia, and agitated first with chloroform, ether, and finally with araylic 
alcohol. The three extracts exhibited fluorescence when dissolved in alcohol, 
but the appearance was most marked in that obtained by chloroform acting 
on the acid solution. The chloroform extract deposited a yellowish granular 
mass on standing, which was non-crystalline; in taste the extract was extremely 
bitter : it afforded marked indication of the presence of an alkaloid, but was 
not wholly soluble in diluted Sulphuric acid. The ether-chloroform extract 
was non-crystalline, it was also bitter, but the bitter taste Was associated 
with some astringency ; it was wholly soluble in dilute sulphuric acid, and 
afforded marked indications of the presence of an alkaloid. 
The amylic alcohol extract was of a dark colour, and wholly soluble in 
dilute sulphuric acid and very bitter : it also gave marked alkaloidal reactions. 
With sulphuric acid, none of the extracts afforded crystalline salts. 
The aqueous extract had a bitter taste ; it reduced an alkaline copper 
solution on boiling: with ferrocyanide of potassium and acetic acid a faint 
turbidity was produced. The residue insoluble in water contained a large 
amount of starch. 
At present we do not offer any opinion as to whether the alkaloidal 
principles we have referred to in the various extracts are identical or not. 
We are also at present unable to state whether these- alkaloids are new or 
merely principles which have already been described as occuring in other 
plants of the same natural order. An analysis of the root of ophioxylan 
Serpentinum by W. Bettink has been published in Haaxman's Tijdschrift, 
(Jan. 1888), where no alkaloid is reported to have been found, but a crystalline 
body related to juglone. We feel convinced that the drug examined by 
Bettink was not authenticated. Prof. Eykinan has recorded the discovery of 
an alkaloid in an Indian Species of Ophioxijlon aad later, still (1890), M. 
Geishoff has found an alkaloid giving a veratrine reaction with Frohde's 
reagent, thus substantiating our analysis. It is probable that as the roof 
resembles Plumbago root, Prof. Bettink’s ophioxylin was only plumbagin. 
[Pharmneographia Indica, Vol. II, p. 415—417.] 
749 . Cerbera odollam, Gcertn. h . f . b . i ., hi . 638 ; 
Roxb. 232 . 
Vern. : — Dabtir ; Dhakur (B.) ; Sukanu (M.) ; Ivada mal ; 
Katarali ; Kadaralai ; Kadu (Tam.) ; Odallam (Mal.), 
Habitat : — Salt swamps, or on the Coast of India, common 
in the South Concan. 
A moderate-sized, evergreen tree or large shrub, wholly glab- 
rous. Wood grey, very soft, spongy. Branchlets whorled, very 
stout, marked with leaf-scars, twigs thick, shining. Leaves large, 
alternate, rather closely placed at end of year’s growth, 5-12in., 
