ON SYMPLOCARPUS FCETIDUS. 
9 
which is possessed by them in as great abundance as any other 
part, and the acrimony in a much greater proportion. / 
The seeds on which the following experiments are founded, 
were collected in the beginning of November on the site of 
the decayed plant; they were found in clusters of from twenty 
to thirty each, but owing to the quantities of fallen leaves at 
this time there was some difficulty in detecting them. 
They ought to be collected about the middle of October, as 
at this time they may be easily procured in large quantities 
where the plant abounds, its black decayed pericarp readily 
discovering it to one in the least acquainted with its mode of 
growth. 
A decoction of the seeds was made with boiling water; a 
portion of this, on being filtered, formed a blue compound with 
tincture of iodine. 
Alcohol on being added to the filtered cold infusion, caused 
a gelatinous precipitate; subacetate of lead also gave a pre- 
cipitate. 
On adding water to the alcoholic tincture a turbidness en- 
sued, showing the presence of resin. 
A portion of the seeds were beat in a mortar, with water, 
forming a milky emulsion; on drinking a small portion of 
this, it was similar to that of almonds in taste, but leaving an 
acrid sensation in the throat somewhat like Polygala senega. 
When this remedy is used, would not this be a good mode of 
administering it? as when prepared in the same way as emul- 
sion of almonds, it is equally palatable, has all the bulk of the 
seeds, and consequently their properties; it has, however, one 
objection, it spoils rapidly. 
Some of this emulsion was filtered; into the clear liquid 
was dropped some solution of bichloride of mercury, which 
gave a white precipitate; infusion of galls had a similar effect; 
ferrocyanate of potash also, when added to the liquor, slightly 
acidulated with acetic acid, gave a white precipitate, also the 
following metallic salts: subacetate of lead, sulphate of iron, 
nitrate of silver, &c. &c; on boiling, the liquor became opa- 
lescent; these tests prove the presence of albumen. 
vol. it. — no. i. 2 
