494  American  Pharmaceutical  Association.  {ArocSer,^Km' 
flavescens)  injected  directly  into  vein  of  dog  causes  marked  rise  in 
blood  pressure  with  rapid  heart  beat  and  increased  urinary  action* 
By  mouth  the  action  is  uncertain. 
A  Contribution  to  the  Chemistry  of  Bocconia  Cordata.  By 
J.  O.  Schlotterbeck  and  Walter  H.  Blome.  Bocconia  cordata,  or 
tree  celandine,  is  a  native  of  Japan,  but  has  been  successrully  grown 
in  several  countries.  It  was  made  the  subject  of  investigation  by 
Eijkman,  Hopfgartner  and  Murrill  and  Schlotterbeck.  The  latter 
found  five  alkaloids,  protopine,  B-homochelidonine,  chelerythrine, 
sanguinarine,  and  a  fifth  melting  at  100°.  In  the  present  work 
25  kilogrammes  of  drug  were  exhausted  and  only  protopine  and 
B-homochelidonine  separated,  of  which  87  and  85  grammes  respec- 
tively were  obtained. 
B-  (Beta)  homochelidonine  may  be  converted  into  the  y-  (gamma) 
variety  by  melting  and  crystallizing  from  appropriate  solvents. 
Heated  with  hydrochloric  acid  in  a  sealed  tube  methyl  chloride  is 
split  off.  The  study  of  the  water-soluble  amorphous  basic  residue 
was  not  concluded. 
It  was  found  that  when  heated  with  alcoholic  iodine  under  pres- 
sure, B-homochelidonine  splits  off  no  hydrogen  as  is  the  case  with 
several  related  alkaloids. 
Heated  in  chloroformic  solution  under  pressure  with  PC15,  a  well- 
crystallized,  yellow  basic  substance  is  obtained.  Chlorine  determi- 
nations demonstrated  the  product  to  be  a  hydrochlorate  without 
any  substitution  of  chlorine  in  the  molecule.  A  number  of  com- 
bustions, though  agreeing  among  themselves,  failed  to  harmonize 
with  any  formula  that  would  answer  for  chlorine.  It  is  quite  possi- 
ble that  a  base  and  an  acid  result  from  this  reaction.  Calcium 
phosphate  was  found  in  abundance  in  the  plant. 
The  Structure  and  Development  of  the  Seed  of  Argemone 
Mexicana.  By  J.  O.  Schlotterbeck  and  C.  R.  Eckler.  This  is  a 
microscopical  study  of  the  seed  of  the  prickly  poppy  from  the  very 
youngest  stages  of  the  ovule  to  the  ripe  seed. 
Aloes  and  the  U.S. P.  By  M.  I.  Wilbert.  On  the  necessity  of 
taking  cognizance  of  the  history  of  medicinal  substances  in  formu- 
lating an  official  description.  The  interesting  history  of  aloes.  Aloes 
in  the  earlier  editions  of  the  Pharmacopoeia  of  the  United  States  of 
America.  The  introduction  and  use  of  true  Socotrine  aloes.  The 
introduction  of  purified  aloes.    The  use  of  purified  aloes  in  official 
