240 
FIRST REPORT ON CINCHONA 
less on account of superior age) is much richer than that of the branches yielding 
“ quill bark.” Some of the latter, which I have examined, yielded but 3 per cent, of 
alkaloids, from which 1’4 per cent, of crystalline sulphates was obtained. 
I am of opinion that the foregoing data, compared with those of Mr. Howard’s earlier 
reports, afford grounds for believing that the amount of alkaloids in the barks is still on 
the increase. 
7. It should be stated that the richness of the red barks in alkaloids, though doubt¬ 
less entitling them to the first place among our Indian barks, is not in many respects 
a true measure of their intrinsic value for manufacturing purposes. This value depends 
also on the readiness with which the quiniue, etc., can be obtained in a pure and crystal¬ 
line form. In this respect the natural unmossed Succirubra bark is at some disadvantage, 
since its alkaloids are more difficult to obtain in a pure form than those yielded by some 
other kinds. 
8. Mr. M‘Ivor’s valuable and interesting method of treatment of the barks by moss¬ 
ing has already been fully described by himself. Unfortunately, I was unable to obtain 
a specimen of bark that had been under this treatment for more than six months. A 
sample of bark of a tree of four years and a half old, renewed under moss, yielded (in 
percentages of dry bark) — 
Total alkaloids (hydrated) . 7T0 per cent. 
Alkaloid soluble in ether (quinine) . 3’95 „ 
Cinchonine and cinchonidine . 3*15 „ 
Crystallized sulphate of quinine obtained ... 3'45 „ 
9. In this instance, the comparative youth of the renewed bark does not permit me to 
quote so high a percentage of alkaloids as that found some time since by Mr. Howard 
in bark that had been longer under treatment.* Nevertheless, the advantage of the 
mossing process applied to this bark, makes itself at once evident to the worker by the 
readiness and purity with which the sulphates crystallize. The amount of the latter 
would be much larger had sulphate of cinchonidine been included. 
10. An examination of the root bark of G. suc<irubra enabled me to corroborate the 
statement of Dr. De Vrij that it contains a large amount of alkaloids. 
The dried bark yielded— 
Total alkaloids (hydrated) . 6’00 per cent. 
Alkaloid soluble in ether (quinine). 2’ 15 „ 
Cinchonidine and cinchonine . 3'85 „ 
Crystallized sulphate of quinine obtained ... 2 00 „ 
From the above it appears that the greater part of the alkaloids in this root-bark con¬ 
sists of cinchonidine and cinchonine. The former alkaloid occurs in considerable quan¬ 
tity. In no case, however, could the roots be a remunerative source of alkaloids, since 
their bark is thin, contains 74 per cent, of water, and is laborious to procure. 
11. The occurrence of alkaloids in the leaves of the cinchonse has been the subject of 
numerous and conflicting statements. In order to inquire into this interesting and im¬ 
portant point, I worked with four pounds of the leaves of C. succirubra. + From these 
I succeeded in obtaining 3T grains of alkaloid, of which about 1 grain was soluble in ether, 
and gave a faint indication of quinine when tested with chlorine water and ammonia. 
From none of the alkaloid obtained from the leaves was I able to obtain a definite crys¬ 
talline sulphate or oxalate. 
Though I would refrain from advancing a decisive opinion until I have examined the 
leaves at another period of the year, it appears to me probable, from the above exarni- 
* Government Return, 18(56, p. 134. 
f The method of proceeding adopted was as follows:—The bruised leaves were boiled in 
a chattie, with water acidulated with sulphuric acid, and the bitter greenish decoction was 
separated by drainage and strong pressure through a cloth. It was then concentrated by 
evaporation, allowed to cool, and made strongly alkaline by the addition of milk of lime. A 
considerable precipitate was thus obtained, which was separated by filtration and purified by 
careful washing ; then dried at 200° F. and powdered. This powder was repeatedly boiled with 
strong spirit, and the alcoholic extracts evaporated to dryness. The residue consisted mainly 
of a bitter, yellow resin. It was boiled with acidulated water (by which but a small proportion 
dissolved) and filtered. The solution was then made alkaline with caustic soda, and shaken 
up in a separator with chloroform. The chloroform was then separated, and being evaporated 
by a gentle heat in a capsule, left the purified alkaloid as residue. 
