296 
PACIFIC SCIENCE, Vol. XIII, July 1959 
mens gave valid results, several cross checks 
were made. All identifications of plants were 
made by H. St. John. 
EXTRACTION OF PLANT MATERIAL. Two 
methods of extraction were used. In the first 
method about 5 grams of chopped or ground 
dried plant material was extracted with 1 per 
cent hydrochloric acid at 80° C. for 4-6 hours. 
The resulting solution was filtered through 
fine paper and the filtrate was tested with the 
alkaloid reagents. 
In the second method about 5 grams of 
chopped or ground dried plant material was 
extracted with Prollius fluid {vide infra) for 
56 hours at room temperature with occasional 
stirring. The organic layer was separated and 
evaporated to dryness at room temperature. 
The residue was dissolved in 1 per cent hydro- 
chloric acid by heating to 80° C. for 1 hour. 
The resulting solution was filtered through 
fine paper and the filtrate tested with the 
alkaloid reagents. 
The second method was used to supple- 
ment the first when sufficient plant material 
was available. It proved useful in clarifying 
tests which had doubtful results on the basis 
of the first method alone. 
REAGENTS. The following formulations 
of the alkaloid test reagents were based 
on Henry’s directions (1929) with certain 
modifications. 
Prollius Fluid. Ether, chloroform, alcohol, 
and ammonia were mixed in the ratio of 
25:8:2.8:1 (by volume), 
Mayer s Reagent. Dry mercuric chloride (6.8 
g.) and potassium iodide (25 g.) were dis- 
solved separately in water and diluted to make 
one liter of solution. 
Hager s Reagent. A saturated aqueous solu- 
tion of picric acid. 
Wagner s Reagent. Iodine (13 g.) was dis- 
solved in 1 N aqueous potassium iodide to 
make one liter of solution. 
Dragendorff' s Reagent. Neutral bismuth ni- 
trate (20 g.) was dissolved in 30 g. cold cone, 
nitric acid (30 per cent). The solution was 
filtered and 68 g. potassium iodide in 60 ml. 
water was added. The resulting solution was 
allowed to stand for 24 hours, was filtered and 
diluted to 250 ml. with water. 
Silicotungstic Acid Reagent. An aqueous so- 
lution of the acid, 0.1 N. 
Sonnenschein s Reagent. A warm 4 N solution 
of disodium hydrogen phosphate was acidi- 
fied with cone, nitric acid (pH 3). A slight 
excess of a saturated solution of ammonium 
KEY TO ABBREVIATIONS IN TABLE I 
The results of the spot tests are given in the following order and abbreviated form: 
BINOMIAL 
LOCAL NAME 
LOCALITY 
DATE COLLECTED 
DATE TESTED 
PLANT PART(s) 
ALKALOID REAGENTS 
PRECIPITATES 
The accepted botanical name. The authority is omitted to conserve 
space. An asterisk (*) indicates introduced species. 
The Hawaiian or vernacular name, if known. 
The nearest town or other prominent map feature. 
Date of actual collection in the field. 
Date of actual application of spot tests. 
B-bark, Br-branchlet, F-fruit, Fl-flower, H-herb or whole plant, 
L-leaf, R-root or underground part, S-seed, St-stem, W-wood, 
I-immature, M-mature. 
M-Mayer’s, P-Picric Acid (Hager’s), I-Iodine (Wagner’s), D-Drag- 
endorff’s, S-Sonnenschein’s, T-Silicotungstic Acid. 
With hydrochloric acid (HCl) or Prollius extracts (organic solvents 
and ammonia), classified on a tr (trace), + (light), ++ (heavy) basis. 
A — indicates no precipitation and a indicates that the test was 
meaningless. 
