Some experiments with tutin

Abstract

Tutin is the poisonous principle of those members of the natural order Coriariae that are native to New Zealand. These plants, three in number, are C. ruscifolia, C. thymofolia and C. angustissima. the best known being C. ruscifolia, the common "tutu" or "tree tute". C. thvmofolia. or "ground tute", is a small shrub and C. augustissima is a small fern like plant. Other members of the order not native to New Zealand also contain poisonous substances, which, though similar, do not appear to be the same as tutin. Tutin has in common with the other members of the group of natural compounds termed the amaroids, the property of extreme physiological activity, closely resembling that of strychnine. However, as none of these substances contain nitrogen and have a high oxygen content they have become known as oxygen alkaloids.