390 
Analyses  of  American  Plants. 
Am.  Jour.  Pharm. 
Aug.,  18S8. 
siuni  bichromate  and  alum^  was  dyed,  the  color  being  like  that  ob- 
tained with  quercitron  bark. 
Hehanthemum  canadense  was  examined  by  Wm.  Crutcher^  Ph.  G. 
Petroleum  beuzin  extracted  I'lo  per  cent.,  containing  a  little  volatile 
oil.  wax  and  saponifiable  fat.  Ether  dissolved  1'4  per  cent,  wax 
chlorophyll,  etc.  Alcohol  took  up  23 '05  per  cent.,  nine-tenths  of 
which  was  soluble  in  water ;  the  tannin  was  estimated  by  precipitating 
with  lead  acetate  aud  cupric  acetate,  the  results  of  lx)th  experiments 
indicating  lO'S  per  cent,  of  tannin.  Water  dissolved  from  the  pow- 
der 7  per  cent,  mucilage,  sugar,  etc.;  and  dilute  soda  solution  took 
up  a  little  over  4  per  cent,  of  pectin  and  albuminoids.  The  presence 
of  starch  was  determined,  but  its  amount  not  estimated.  The  air- 
dry  powder  contained  7  per  cent,  of  moistui'e  and  3  per  cent,  of  ash. 
Indications  of  a  glucoside  having  been  obtained,  the  alcoholic  extract 
was  treated  with  water  and  the  solution  agitated  with  benzol ;  on 
evaporating  this  liquid  fine  needles  were  left,  but  not  ftirther 
examined. 
Pilea  pu'inila. — Frank  R.  Weiser,  Ph.G.,  reports  that  this  plant 
has  some  reputation  for  counteracting  the  eiiect  produced  by  Rhus 
Toxicodendron.  The  fresh  plant  is  bruised,  and  then  applied  either 
by  binding  it  on  the  eruption,  or  by  rubbing  the  affected  parts  with 
it ;  the  effect  seems  to  be  instantaneous,  allaying  the  itching  and  pre- 
venting: the  spreading  of  the  eruption.  The  plant  is  popularly  known 
as  deariceed  and  richweed,  and  grows  from  Canada  to  Florida.  After 
drving  it  has  a  somewhat  fragrant  tea-like  odor.  An  analysis  of  the 
dried  and  powdered  plant  yielded  the  following  i-esults : 
Extracted  by  petroleum  spirit  (  volatile  oil,  "26;  £at,  '70;  wax,  -28  : 
chlorophyll,.  -OS)   1-32 
"       by  ether  (mostly  chlorophyll)   1*52 
"       by  alcohol  (glucoside,  etc.)   1"00 
by  water  (mucilage,  dextrin,  sugars,  etc.)   S"89 
by  dilute  HKO   4-90 
by  dilute  HCl   9*02 
Lignin   3*25 
"Wood  fibre,  ash  and  moisture   66"33 
A  portion  of  the  alcoholic  tinctui-e  obtained  above  on  being  allowed 
to  evaporate  spontaneously,  yielded  crystals,  which  responded  to  the 
tests  for  glucosides.  Half  pound  of  the  powder  was  then  percolated 
with  alcohol,  the  tincture  concentrated  by  distillation,  the  extract 
