Transcriber’s Notes Obvious typographical errors have been silently corrected. All other spelling and punctuation remains unchanged. In particular the author uses Kavahin for what is now normally referred to as Kavain. Italics are represented thus _italic_. THESIS presented for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE at THE COLLEGE OF HAWAII JUNE 1915 by ALICE A. BALL. The Thesis, herewith, on “The Chemical Constituents of the Active Principle of the Ava Root” by Alice A. Ball, clearly demonstrates her ability to do original work and to present her results in logical form. Approved. [Illustration: J. F. Illingworth] Chair of the Committee on Advanced Degrees. College of Hawaii, May 14, 1915. THE CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF PIPER METHYSTICUM OR THE CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF THE ACTIVE PRINCIPLE OF THE AVA ROOT. _INDEX._ Page 1. Historical 1 2. Method of Extraction 7 3. Method of Separation of the Resins 9 4. Various Metallic Salts of the Resinous Acids 12 5. The Total Resins 13 6. The Barium Acid 15 7. Oxidation Products of the Barium Acids 21 8. The Iron Acids 28 9. Oxidation of the Iron Acids and the Free Acids 33 10. Alcohol Radicals 34 11. Methysticin and Methysticinic Acid 36 12. Physiological Action 38 13. Conclusion 43 _HISTORICAL._