84  Solarium  Carolinense.  {AFebJXVa897m* 
Some  of  the  grains  were  bi-nucleated  and  others  possessed  a  pecu- 
liar, contorted  shape.  The  starch  grains  resemble  somewhat  in 
shape  those  of  another  plant  of  the  same  genus,  Solanum  tuberosum, 
the  potato.  Scattered  irregularly  through  the  cortex  of  the  root, 
and  less  profusely  in  the  stem,  are  secretion  cells  containing  a  pecu- 
liar, mucilaginous-like  matter.  On  treating  these  cells  with  potas- 
sium hydrate  test  solution  they  were  rendered  clear,  and  their  con- 
tents now  shown  to  be  a  white,  granular  or  crystalline  substance. 
This  substance,  by  dissolving  in  warm  hydrochloric  acid,  without 
effervescence,  proved  to  be  calcium  oxalate.  The  tests  for  tannin 
failed  to  show  its  presence.  On  testing  for  resins  and  oils,  with 
alcannin  solution,  small  quantities  of  these  substances  were  found 
in  some  of  the  starch-bearing  cells  and  also  in  some  of  the  lignified 
tissues. 
In  conclusion,  the  author  wishes  to  express  his  thanks  to  Messrs. 
Parke,  Davis  &  Co.  for  specimens  kindly  furnished,  and  to  Dr.  M. 
V.  Ball  for  his  valuable  assistance  in  the  microscopical  work. 
J 
SOLANUM  CAROLINENSE. 
By  M.  Clayton  Thrush,  Ph.G. 
(Abstract  from  Thesis.) 
The  author  found  the  fruit  to  contain  the  largest  amount  of  alka- 
loidal  constituents ;  consequently,  it  is  the  most  active  therapeuti- 
cally. The  leaves  came  next  in  strength,  then  the  root,  and  finally 
the  stem,  which  is  the  least  active. 
In  order  to  study  the  drug  microscopically,  sections  were  cut  by 
means  of  the  microtome  from  specimens  of  the  plant  which  had 
been  preserved  in  strong  alcohol.  They  were  then  placed  in  Labar- 
raque's  solution  until  properly  bleached,  except  those  intended  for 
the  tests  for  tannin  and  oleoresin.  They  were  then  treated  as  fol- 
lows :  For  double  staining  some  of  the  sections  were  treated  with 
iodine  green,  then  washed  to  separate  excess,  then  passed  through 
dilute,  strong  and  finally  absolute  alcohol,  to  anhydrate  them. 
They  were  then  treated  with  eosin,  oil  of  cloves,  and  from  that 
through  pure  oil  of  cloves,  and  mounted  in  xylol  balsam.  The 
others,  after  being  treated  with  the  reagent,  were  washed  to  sep- 
arate excess,  anhydrated  by  absolute  alcohol  and  mounted  in  xylol 
