514  Gillenia  Stipulacea.  {Am  oct%P^arm' 
filtrate,  evaporated  on  a  water-bath,  produced  a  dark  brown  residue, 
which  on  examination  showed  the  presence  of  sugar,  gum,  extrac- 
tive, and  a  tannin  striking  a  greenish-black  color  with  a  solution  of 
ferric  chloride. 
The  aqueous  layer  of  the  second  ethereal  treatment,  on  concentra- 
tion, acquired  a  yellowish  color.  Before  heating  and  during  evapo- 
ration this  liquid  produced  no  reaction  with  Fehling's  solution,  unless 
previously  heated  with  sulphuric  acid  showing  the  stability  of  the 
glucosidal  body.  The  residue  left  on  evaporation  was  treated  with 
little  water,  the  solution  filtered  from  the  reddish  fiocculent  residue, 
and  evaporated,  leaving  an  amorphous  substance  soluble  in  water, 
sparingly  so  in  alcohol  and  ether  and  presenting  all  the  reactions  of 
a  glucoside,  for  which  the  name  gillcenin  is  proposed.  In  this  con- 
dition it  is  inodorous,  yellowish,  of  a  faint  taste  at  first,  but 
becoming  very  bitter,  and  shows  no  reaction  with  iron  salts  or 
gelatin,  and  no  color  reaction  with  the  acids  mentioned  above.  The 
quantity  being  quite  small,  its  action  when  taken  internally  was  not 
determined. 
These  principles  are  evidently  different  from  the  gillenin  obtained 
by  W.  B.  Stanhope,  from  Gillenia  trifoliata  (see  Amer.  Jour.  Pharm., 
1856,  p,  200),  which  was  colored  blood -red  by  nitric  acid,  and  green 
by  chromic  acid. 
Note  is  made  by  Stille  and  Maisch  that  the  dust  of  Cephaelis 
Ipecacuanha  attacks  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  nose  and  throat, 
producing  congestion  of  the  larynx  and  bronchia,  causing  coughing 
and  sometimes  rejection  of  fibrinous  sputum.  In  comminuting  the 
Gillenia  stipulacea  the  dust  arising  from  it  caused,  like  the  afore- 
mentioned plant,  dryness  of  the  nose  and  throat,  and  left  a  slight 
congestion  of  the  larynx,  which  did  not  wear  off  for  about  twenty- 
four  hours.  A  convenient  form  of  administration  will  no  doubt  be 
secured  in  the  tincture,  made  10  per  cent,  in  strength  with  50  per 
cent,  alcohol.  Another  form,  and  the  one  more  usually  employed, 
is  the  decoction.  The  mention  by  Barton  of  this  species  being  the 
more  valuable,  as  well  as  its  remote  use  by  country  folk,  would 
seem  to  indicate  its  medicinal  value,  and  would  warrant  a  trial  by 
the  medical  fraternity. 
Petroleum  has  been  found  in  Peru,  near  the  seashore.  Spec,  grav.,  "Sio 
to  '840.    It  is  rich  in  low-boiling  constituents. 
