EXTRACTS FROM AGRICULTURAL REPORTS. 
557 
obtained, which amounted to 1.9 per cent. The petroleum ether 
extract consisted mainly of fat, accompanied with chlorophyl. 
The fusing point of this fat was 47.5°C.; congealed very readily, 
showing the presence of a higher cabonaceous fat. It gave a 
number of interesting color reactions. The etherial extract con¬ 
tained more chlorophyl and a soft resin. The alcoholic extract 
was not examined for proximate principles. 
With a view of detecting, by a short process, any alkaloids, 
two experiments were made, as follows: 
Ten grammes of the tinely-powdered drug were macerated 
with a mixture of 66 volumes of ether, 5 volumes of alcohol, and 
2 volumes of alcohol, for 24 hours. The etherial solution filtered 
off, and agitated with 15 cc. of water, containing a little sulphuric 
acid. The ether evaporated off. The residue, tested with May¬ 
er’s reagent, gave no reaction. 
Fifty grammes were next treated with 3 per cent, of oxalic 
acid solution at 60° C. ; the filtered solution neutralized with 
ammonia and evaporated to nearly a syrupy condition. This was 
shaken briskly with ether, the etherial solution decanted and 
allowed to evaporate. The residue, treated with water acidulated 
with sulphuric acid and tested with Mayer’s reagent, as well as 
other general reagents for alkaloids, gave no reaction for the 
presence of such a principle. 
Distillation of the powdered leaves from potash lye developed 
a decidedly unpleasant odor, but upon an examination of the dis¬ 
tillate no proof was evinced of the presence of a volatile active 
principle. The above experiments were made only as a prelim¬ 
inary examination of the plant, as a study of its behavior to 
various processes merely ; the writer will take up the subject 
more thoroughly in the future. A more exhaustive chemical ex¬ 
amination is now in process, and will be reported later. 
PHYSIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION. 
Through the kindness of Mr. II. E. Steele, referred to above, 
there was presented an excellent opportunity to personally ob¬ 
serve and study the physiological effects of the plant upon ani¬ 
mals. A cow had been eating loco for the past year or so, and 
