554 
Hoots  of  Aj^ocynums. 
(  Am.  .Tour.  Pharm. 
t      Nov.,  1881. 
The  fatty  substance  left  behind  yielded  to  water,  on  prolonged  boil- 
ing, nothing  of  importance.  On  saponifying  the  fat  with  potassa, 
decomposing  the  soap  by  sulphuric  acid  and  distilling  with  water, 
volatile  fatty  acids  were  obtained  which  were  free  from  formic  and 
acetic  acids,  since,  after  neutralization  with  ammonia,  ferric  chloride 
did  not  produce  any  decided  color. 
A  decoction  of  the  fruit  was  made,  and,  after  filtering,  mixed  with 
alcohol ;  a  jelly-like  mass  precipitated,  showing  the  presence  of  gum. 
The  same  solution  was  tested  for  starch  with  a  solution  of  iodine,  with 
negative  results.  By  this  partial  analysis  the  fruit  was  found  to  con- 
tain sugar,  gum,  tannin,  fat  and  a  resinous  substance. 
THE  ROOTS  OF  APOCYNUM  ANDROS^MIFOLIUM  and 
APOC.  CAIi^NABINUM. 
By  Edward  Adolphus  Manheimer,  Ph.G. 
From  an  Inaugural  Essay. 
The  close  botanical  relation  of  the  two  plants  named  suggested  a 
microscopic  examination  of  their  roots,  both  of  which  are  recognized 
by  the  pharmacopo?ia  as  medicinal  agents.  The  root  of  Apocynum 
<3annabinuni  was  easily  procured  in  commerce  and  identified  by  Prof. 
Maisch.  A  number  of  wholesale  drug  houses  were  applied  to  for  the 
root  of  A])oc.  andros^eniifolium,  but  invariably  a  substitute  was  fur- 
nished, proving  to  be  the  root  of  Apoc.  cannabinum  or  of  a  plant 
-closely  allied  to  it.  A  genuine  specimen,  however,  was  procured  from 
the  collection  of  Prof.  Maisch. 
The  two  plants,  which  resemble  each  other,  are  indigenous  to  the 
United  States;  but  the  Apoc.  andros?eraifolium,  or  dog's-bane,  grows 
chiefly  in  the  northern  part,  while  the  other  species,  called  Indian 
hemp,  is  common  in  the  southern  part  of  the  country. 
The  root  of  dog's-bane  is  long,  about  \  or  \  inch  thick,  somewhat 
branched,  externally  dark  brown,  internally  white.  The  bark  is  thin, 
longitudinally  wrinkled,  somewhat  fissured  transversely  and  is  readily 
separated  from  the  wood ;  the  cambium  line  in  the  dry  root  is  quite 
indistinct.  The  wood  is  fibrous  and  tenacious  and  encloses  a  pith  of 
the  same  Avidth  as  the  bark,  or  even  broader,  and  surrounded  by  a 
distinct  medullary  sheath.  The  wood  is  almost  tasteless,  while  the 
bark  has  an  unpleasant  taste. 
The  root  of  Indian  hemp  is  horizontal,  several  feet  long  and  appears 
