AmMa^'i89?.arm'}  Alkaloids  and  other  active  Principles.  233 
in  sulphuric  acid  solutions  gives  a  greenish  coloration,  which  then 
becomes  deep  blue  and  finally  orange. 
Lenconotis  eugenifolia,  Dec,  yields  a  poisonous,  crystalline 
alkaloid  which  is  readily  soluble  in  ether,  and  shows  the  general 
reactions  of  the  alkaloids,  but  gives  no  color  reactions.  The  cortex 
of  Rauwolfta  canescens,  W.,  yields  an  alkaloid  which  gives  a 
beautiful,  blood-red  coloration  with  nitric  acid.  Rauzvolfia 
(Ophioxylon)  serpentina  and  trifoliata,  which  is  highly  prized 
in  Java  as  a  drug,  also  contains  a  crystalline  alkaloid  which 
gives  the  same  reaction  with  nitric  acid,  and  its  presence  may  be 
easily  recognized  microscopically  in  the  various  parts  of  the  plant 
by  this  reaction.  The  substance  recently  described  as  ophioxylin 
is  identical  with  Dulong's  plumbagin,  the  error  being  caused  by  a 
confusion  between  Ophioxylon  serpentinum,  L.,  and  Phimbago  rosea , 
L.,  which,  though  very  different  plants,  are  both  termed  "  Poeleh 
Pandak"  in  Java.  The  above  alkaloid  also  occurs  in  Rauwolfia 
(Cyrtosiphonia)  spectabilis  and  maditr crisis.  All  these  species  of 
Rauwolfia  contain  a  brown  substance  also ;  this  likewise  appears  to 
be  an  alkaloid,  and  yields  a  beautiful,  blue,  fluorescent  solution  in 
ether.    It  is  constituent  of  many  Apocynece. 
The  cortex  of  Hunteria  corymbosa,  Roxb.,  contains  0-3  per  cent,  of 
a  crystalline  alkaloid,  which  also  forms  crystalline  salts,  and  gives  a 
beautiful  violet  coloration  with  Erdmann's  and  Frbhde's  reagents. 
It  is  a  strong  poison,  and  has  a  sharp,  burning  taste,  even  when 
diluted  to  1  :  10,000.  The  cortex  of  Pseudochrosia  glomerata,  Bl.r 
also  contains  a  poisonous,  crystalline  alkaloid,  and  the  above  fluores- 
cent compound. 
The  cortices  of  Ochrosia  (Laclaria)  acuminata,  Ackeringce,  and 
coccinea  are  rich  in  alkaloid  constitutents.  Three  products  have 
been  isolated,  namely,  a  colorless,  crystalline  alkaloid  soluble 
in  ether,  which  is  moderately  poisonous,  an  alkaloid  insoluble  in 
ether  but  soluble  in  amyl  alcohol,  which  is  the  best  isolated  as  the 
mercurochloride,  and  also  the  above-mentioned  fluorescent  com- 
pound. These  substances  also  occur  in  the  seed  and  the  sap.  The 
cortex  of  the  stem  of  Ochrosia  (Bleekarid)  kalocarpa  contains  12 
per  cent,  of  alkaloids. 
The  seeds  of  Kopsia  flavida,  Bl.,  contain  no  less  than  1-85  per 
cent,  of  a  homogeneous  alkaloid,  which  is  soluble  in  ether  and 
readily  prepared  pure  and  crystalline  ;  it  likewise  occurs  in  Kopsia 
