^ovemberfioE1'}  Laboratory  Notes.  555 
ago,  the  crude  fiber  obtained  in  the  process  of  analysis  is  partic- 
ularly suited  for  the  microscopic  detection  of  stone  cells  and  other 
tissues. 
The  radical  difference  in  composition  between  cocoanut  shells 
and  the  spices  to  which  they  are  added  is  shown  ,  by  the  results  in 
the  table  on  the  preceding  page  by  Winton,  Ogden  and  Mitchell.1 
In  conclusion,  the  author  takes  this  opportunity  to  thank  his 
highly  esteemed  instructor,  Prof.  Dr.  Josef  Moeller  of  Graz  Univer- 
sity, Austria,  for  kindly  assistance  in  the  early  part  of  this  investi- 
gation. The  work  was  begun  in  Professor  Moeller's  laboratory 
during  the  autumn  of  1899,  but  after  a  year's  interruption  was 
finished  at  this  station. 
Acknowledgment  is  also  due  Prof.  E.  Gale  of  Mangonia,  Florida, 
who  generously  furnished  material  for  study,  and  also  Herr  F.  X. 
Matalony,  of  Vienna,  who  skillfully  reproduced  on  wood  the  author's 
drawings. 
LABORATORY  NOTES. 
By  Robert  C.  Pursbi*  and  Wizard  R.  Graham. 
Jaborandi  Leaves. — The  standard  for  the  alkaloidal  content  of 
Jaborandi  leaves  has  been  set  by  the  majority  of  manufacturers  at 
0-35  per  cent,  acid  titration.  During  the  past  year  nearly  all  of  the 
samples  submitted,  answered  the  above  requirement.  Several 
samples,  however,  did  not,  as  may  be  seen  by  the  following  data : 
Six  samples  assayed  between  o-i/  and  0-28  per  cent,  of  alkaloids, 
the  average  being  0-24  per  cent. 
All  of  the  other  samples  contained  a  great  many  stems.  The 
latter,  when  separated  from  the  leaves  of  sample  No.  5,  were  found 
to  amount  to  23*83  per  cent. 
Hydrastis  Canadensis.— -Several  samples  ol  golden  seal  were 
assayed,  ether  being  employed  in  each  case  to  dissolve  the  hydras- 
tine,  with  the  following  results : 
Five  samples  yielded  between  276  and  4-16  per  cent,  of  hydras- 
tine  by  weight,  the  average  being  3  47  per  cent. 
Carthagena  Ipecac. — The  following  assays  of  Carthagena  Ipecac 
tend  to  show  that  it  is  equal,  if  not  superior,  to  the  Rio  variety  in 
alkaloidal  contents. 
1  Ibid.,  Rep.  1898,  pp.  198-211. 
