6 ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. 
of the seeds, and upon evaporation yielded but little more 
than a drachm of a reddish-brown extract, almost entirely 
soluble in water, and having considerable bitterness. This 
amount of extract was exclusive of fixed oil; for, when the 
tincture was considerably evaporated, a quantity of fixed oil 
rose to the surface, and was separated. That portion of the 
alcoholic extract which could not be dissolved in water, had 
the appearance of resin. 
5th. — A much larger proportion of aqueous, than of spirit- 
uous extract, was afforded by the same quantity of seeds, and 
appeared to be possessed of almost equal bitterness, yet no 
effect upon the system was experienced by doses of a grain. 
6th. — A decoction was prepared, by boiling an ounce of 
the bruised seeds, in half a pint of water, acidulated with sul- 
phuric acid. The decoction was filtered, and a solution of 
acetate of lead gradually added, until a precipitate ceased to 
be thrown down, after which it was again filtered. Through 
the clear liquid was then passed a stream of hydrosulphuric 
acid, until sulphuret of lead ceased to be thrown down. The 
sulphuret was then removed by filtration, and the liquid 
raised to the boiling point, in order that any excess of hydro- 
sulphuric acid might be expelled. A portion of pure mag- 
nesia was then added, and the vessel containing the mixture 
occasionally agitated. After a time presumed sufficient for 
chemical action to have taken place, the mixture was filtered, 
and the filter with its precipitate washed, then dried, and 
treated with boiling alcohol; it was again filtered, and the 
alcohol exposed to spontaneous evaporation in a glass capsule. 
A substance remained in a pulverulent state, around the mar- 
gin of which, by means of the microscope, a number of mi- 
nute crystals could be distinguished, the form of which was 
that of a three-sided pyramid. The greater portion of this 
substance was not crystallized. By dissolving a small quantity 
in alcohol, and applying it to litmus paper, which had been 
colored red by an acid, the blue color was perfectly restored, 
thus giving a decided proof of its alkaline nature. This sub- 
stance was of a dirty white color, excessively bitter, and, as 
