Large populations of Pistacia grow wild in different parts of Iran. The fruits of two species, namely, Pistacia atlantica Subsp. mutica and P. atlantica Subsp. kurdica are consumed by the natives because of the high content of oil in kernels and outer skin layers. The kernels of both species are rich in oil (over 50%), and the oil content in the outer skin layer of P. atlantica Subsp. kurdica is 63% and in the other variety 30%. Unsaponifiable matter and fatty acid compositions of the oils were determined and the results compared with the oil from Pistacia vera L.

The essential oil from fruits of HERACLEUM PERSICUM Desf., growing wild in Iran, was investigated by means of LSC, GLC and GC-MS. Co-chromatography of synthesized compounds was also applied for identification of components. The oil contained about 95% of aliphatic esters, 4% of aliphatic alcohols and 1% of monoterpenes; 37 esters and 17 monoterpenes were identified.

the acetonitrile solution (after filtration) gave an oil which was chromatographed over tic plates (silica gel G; benzene-ethyl acetate, 4:1). A band (R¡ 0.65) afforded 13 as an oil which did not crystallize after long standing: yield 30 mg; ir bands (CHCla) 3450 (hydroxyl), 1750 (carbonyl), and 1250 (acetate) cm-1. The nmr spectrum (Table I) indicated that the substance was pure and clearly indicated a vinylic methyl group as shown in the formula of 13.

SPECIALIAThe editors do not hold themselves responsible for the opinions expressed in the authors' brief reports. -Les auteurs sont seuls responsables des opinions exprim6es dans ces br6ves communications. -Ftir die Kurzmitteilungen ist ausschliesslich der Autor verantwortlich. -Per le brevi comunicazioni 6 responsabile solo l'autore. -OTBeTCTBermocw, aa r~opoTKne coo6~ueHn~ HeceT HcKJnOqHTeJIbHO aBYOp. --Solo los autores son responsables de las opiniones expresadas en estas comunicationes breves. 9-a- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy and Pharmacal Sciences, Purdue University, W. Lafayette (Indiana 47907, USA), 5August 1980Summary. A novel sesquiterpene lactone, 9-a-hydroxyparthenolide (1) was isolated from a chloroform extract of Anvillea garcini that was collected in Iran. The structure of 1 was assigned on the basis of high field NMR decoupling experiments