232  Alkaloids  and  other  active  Principles.  { AmMay,ri8^Larm 
be  obtained  in  crystals  from  concentrated  aqueous  solution.  It 
gives  precipitates  with  many  metallic  salts  and  with  the  usual 
alkaloid  reagents;  it  is  a  fairly  strong  poison,  being  fatal  to  fowls' in 
doses  of  0-025  gram.  A  poisonous  alkaloid  likewise  exists  in 
Erythrina  (Hypaphorus}  subunibrans,  Hassk.,  and  is  best  isolated  as 
a  metallic  double  compound. 
The  leaves  of  different  kinds  of  cassia  are  employed  in  Java  as  a 
remedy  for  herpes ;  they  contain  a  glucoside  which  yields  chryso- 
phanic  acid  as  a  product  of  hydrolysis. 
The  leaves  of  Crotolaria  retusa,  L.,  contain  considerable  quantities 
of  indican  ;  the  seeds  contain  an  alkaloid,  which  is  found  in  larger 
quantities  in  the  seeds  and  leaves  of  C.  striata,  L.  The  base  is  a 
strong  poison,  and  is  probably  closely  related  to  the  known 
alkaloids  of  other  Genisteae,  such  as  Cytisus,  JJlex,  Spartium> 
and  Lupinus. 
The  seeds  of  Millettia  atropurpurea,  Benth.,  contain  a  poisonous 
glucoside,  the  chemical  and  toxicological  properties  of  which  closely 
resemble  those  of  saponin.  The  plant  is  also  employed  for  poison- 
ing fish.  The  cortex  of  Acacia  tenerrima,  Jungh.,  contains  a  bitter 
poisonous  alkaloid,  readily  soluble  in  ether  and  chloroform.  No 
alkaloid  has  previously  been  found  in  an  acacia.  The  leaves  of 
Albizzia  saponaria,  BL,  contain  cathartic  acid,  whilst  the  leaves  and 
cortex  contain  saponin  in  quantity. 
The  cortex  Pithecolobium  bigeminum,  Mart.,  contains  o  8  per  cent, 
of  a  non-volatile,  amorphous  alkaloid,  which  forms  crystalline  salts, 
and  separates  as  a  heavy,  yellow  oil  on  the  addition  of  alkalies 
to  solutions  of  the  latter.  With  100  parts  of  water,  it  forms  a  turbid 
liquid,  which  on  warming  assumes  the  appearance  of  milk,  but 
becomes  clear  on  the  addition  of  an  acid.  The  solutions  have 
a  burning  taste,  and  give  the  usual  alkaloid  reactions.  It  has 
a  strong  corrosive  action  on  the  skin,  and  is  fatal  to  fish  in  a  dilution 
of  1  :  400,000.  The  same  compound  appears  also  to  occur  in 
P.  saman,  Benth.  # 
III.  Apocynece  containing  Alkaloids,  occurring  in  the  Dutch  Indies, 
— The  leaves,  cortex,  and  seeds  of  Melodinus  Icevigatus,  BL,  also  con- 
tain a  poisonous  alkaloid,  which  is  present  in  the  largest  quantities  in 
the  seeds  (o-8-i  o  per  cent.).  It  is  decomposed  by  dilute  hydro- 
chloric acid,  but  is  not  a  glucoside,  and  gives  the  ordinary  alkaloid 
reactions  in  very  dilute  solutions,  and  with  feeble  oxidizing  agents 
