dioxy-N,e-dimethyl-fl-phenylethylamine) has been studied in the mouse, rat and guinea pig following ip administration and in the mongrel dog and rhesus monkey following iv administration. The LD50 value for each agent has been determined in each species. For 7 of the 8 drugs tested the LD50 value is significantly lower in the rat than in the mouse or guinea pig. A comparison of the observable signs of drug action in the dog and monkey shows the dog to be the preferred species for evaluating the effects of these agents. The relevant literature regarding the actions of the drugs has been reviewed. Modifications in the mescaline structure which are represented by the 7 analogs and which alter pharmacologic activity include: decreased potency following removal of the 5-methoxy group or N-demethylation, and increased potency following alpha substitution on the side chain or introduction of the 3,4-methylenedioxy group. Mescaline was one of the first drugs recognized as having hallucinogenic properties. Although the effects of mescaline in man have been described by many investigators (Stockings, 1940; Hock, 1951), the mechanisms by which mescaline alters central nervous system function are not yet clear. It has been suggested that the psychotomimetic action may arise owing to competition for adrenergic receptors (Ratcliffe, 1971; Speck, 1957), or cholinergic receptors (Clemente and Lynch, 1968), and that psychotomimetic action may result from metabolism in vivo to form an active material (Block et aL, 1952). 1 The investigations reported here were performed at the University of Michigan and supported by Army Chemical Center Contract DA-18-108-CML-5663 during the period 1953-54. The reports were declassified in October 1969.

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