J 55 
As the bark of Muindu has some resemblance to that of the false 
Angostura Bark {Sirychnos Nux Vomica, Lin.) described about half 
a century ago,t and both Muindu and Palabanda have something in 
common with Sassy Bark {Ery/hrophlocum guineense, Don.), it was 
thought that in view of the medicinal use of these an examination 
of Muindu might be of value. 
The sample from Dr. Etienne consisted of three pieces of branches 
of the plant, which he described as a shrub growing in the plains. 
The largest of the branches was some 50 cm. in length by 2' 5 cm. m 
diameter at the lower end, which had the velvety appearance of the 
older stem above mentioned. The younger branches were smoother, 
and had sharp thorns 5 mm. to 2 cm. long irregularly distributed 
upon them. There were no leaves with this specimen, but the 
thinnest branch had evidence of leaf scars, and was of the same 
colour and appearance as the leaf stalk of the Muindu recehed from 
Dr. Todd. A note by Dr. Etienne states that the natives scrape off 
the liber and macerate in treaty rum. Of this preparauon a few 
drops are instilled into the eye for Sleeping Sickness. ^ 
A tincture was prepared from the bark by maceration in 60/0 
alcohol of a strength of one drug in ten of menstruum. This was 
tested on frogs by Dr. C. O. Jones in the Department of Bio- 
Chemistry of the University with negative results. 
This tincture was shaken out with ammoniated chloroform three 
times, and the chloroformic layer being allowed to evaporate to 
drj'ness gave a residue which upon treatment with sulphuric aci 
potassium bichromate failed to give the usual reaction for stryc nine 
Microscopic characters of the Bark of Muindu. 
A transverse section of the bark showed that the velvety lay 
had an indefinite appearance. ' .,1 
The saber is formed of flattened thin-walled cells the cortical 
parenchyme consists of polygonal cells having thin wa s 
cellular spaces, and containing a brown materia w ic ga 
reaction for tannin with ferric chloride. - ,.oartion 
Although, as above mentioned, I was unable too am 
for strychnine from the tincture of Muindu, upon flooding a __ 
t Planclinn et Collin. I.es drogues simple' d'orisine 
