The constituents of Ranunculaceae plants are summerized from more than one hundred of papers. Fifteen steroidal alkaloids, thirty two of terpenoids (diterpenes and triterpenes), fifty four isoquinoline alkaloids are recorded. Thirty three papaverines, eighteen berberines, and three hydrastines belong to isoquinoline group. Besides, of alkaloids a number of glycosides are also found. Adonis glycoside, famous cardiotonics, from Adonis and cyanogenin glycoside and calthoside D were identified from the leaves of Thalictrum aquilegifolium and Caltha silvestris. Anemonin, the irritating substance, found in Pulsatilla grandiz $W_{ENDER}$. Kaempf-erol and dihydrokaempferol were isolated and identified from the leaves of Clematis brachyura ^M_{AXIMOWICZ}$ by author in 1968.

We had previously reported that five compounds were obtained from fraction A of Aster divaricatus by using column chromatography and presumed them to be alkanes $CH_3\;(CH_2)n\;CH_3.$ In this investigation, compound (II) out of above five compounds was identified as hydrocarbon $C_{16}H_{34},$ m.w. 258 belonging to alkane, by using nmr spectra, mass spectra and the elementary analysis. It was also found that compound (IV) is the same compound as the campound (II).

Free anino acid contents in alcohol extract of eight plants of Caryophyllaceae and their microbial activities were investigated. 1) Amino acid contents in both of the Pseudostellaria palibiniana and Stellaria media was the highest among them and the contents was less in the order of Cerastium caspitosum and Stellaria aquatica. 2) Of all free amino acids contained in eight plants, valine was the richest, and then glutamic acid, leucine in that order. On the other hand, no methionine was observed and cystine, lysine and histidine were found in small amounts. 3) Of eight plants exhibited good antibacterial action against Sarcina lutea, B. subtilis and Sal. typhi. 4) S.aquatica and Pseudostellaria palibiniana showed antibiotic actions against all bacteria except for fungus, Candida albicans. 5) C. caspitosum and C. brachypetalum showed inhibition zone against B. subtilis and Sal. typhi only. 6) Antibacterial activity against gram(+) bacteria was more potent than gram(-).

From phytochemical screening of the seven species of Caryophyllaceae, that is, one species of Melandrium, and Dianthus and Pseudostellaria, two species of Stellaria and Cerastium the following compounds were identified. 1) aldehyde, sugars, other reducing compounds and glycosides from the above mentioned seven species of Caryophyllaceae were identified by thin layer chromatography method and comparison of Rf values with the standard substances. 2) Saponins, steroids and terpenoids showed positive reaction with the Froth testing in all of seven plants. Five species of plant showed positive reaction with Liebermann-Buchard test. 3) Flavonoid and polyphenolic compounds were identified by the spots in TLC-test and chlorogenic acid showed the same Rf values with the standard substances. 4) The spots of alkaloid were shown at Rf=0.68 (Stellaria aquatica) and at Rf=0.71 (Pseudostellaria palibiniana) and at Rf=0.70, and 0.44 (Dianthus sinensis).

Free amino acids and mineral substance in radix of Polygonum cuspidatum, Polygonum elliptica, and Polygonum sachalinense were analyzed by amino acid autoanalyzer and atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Gross contents of free amino acids in root of P. cuspidatum and P. elliptica are 12.99mg/g and 9.58mg/g respectively. The analysis of inorganic constituents of Polygonum sp. showed that it generally contains copper, iron, manganese, zinc, potassium and potassium salt.

From the crude saponin obtained from the pods of Gleditschia officinalis seven spots were identified by TLC and quantity of gleditschia B was the highest among them. Ten kinds of prosapogenins were identified from the partial hydrolysates of crude saponin and found that prosapogenin E contain oleanolic acid as a sapogenin and prosapogenin F does echinocystic acid as the sapogenin. Hydrolysis of crude saponin yield glucose and rhamnose and the same sugar were also identified from the mixture of prosapogenin E and F.

Several kinds of medicinal plants are used as diuretics in folk medicines and oriental drugs. The diuretic action of water extracts of the ten kinds of crude drugs, such as Pachyma hoelen $R_{UMPHIUS}$ Zea mays L., Akebia quinata $D_{ECAISNE}$, Alisma orientale Juzepezuk, Atractylodes koreana $N_{AKAI}$, phytolacca americana L., Achyranthes japo-nica $N_{AKAI}$, Juncus decipiens $N_{AKAI}$, Prunella asiatica $N_{AKAI}$ and Artemisia capillaris $T_{HUNBERG}$ was examined in mouse and compared with aminophylline as a control the following results were obtained. The urine volume was found to be remarkably increased by the Pachyma hoelen RUMPHIUS, Phytolacca americana L., Prunella asiatica $N_{AKAI}$ and Artemisia capillaris $T_{HUNBERG}$, moderately increased by the Akebia quinata $D_{ECAISNE}$, Achyranthes japonica $N_{AKAI}$ and Juncus decipiens $N_{AKAI}$, and slightly increased by Zea mays $L_{ENNE}$, Alisma orientale $J_{UZFPEZUK}$ and Atractylodes koreana $N_{AKAI}$.