422 Intelligence and Miscellaneous Articles. 



ANALYSIS OF CERADIA FURCATA RESIN. 

 BY ROBERT D. THOMSON, M.D. 



The plant from which this resin exudes, presents the appearance 

 of coral, and is a native of the coast of Africa, opposite the island of 

 Ichaboe. 



The resin possesses an amber colour, and an odour similar to that 

 of olibanum. It partially dissolves in alcohol, and is precipitated 

 by water. Caustic ammonia produces no precipitate in the alcoholic 

 solution. The alcoholic solution possesses a slightly acid reaction, 

 and is not precipitated by nitrate of silver. Specific gravity 1*197, 

 determined by my pupil, Mr. Hugh B. Tennent. 

 Analysis gave the following results : — 



19 "9 grains lost by exposure to the temperature of 212° for some 

 days 2" 11 grains. During the whole of the period its peculiar odour 

 was emitted. Previous to being subjected to this heat it was pul- 

 verized, but it speedily became soft, and collected into a mass. In 

 this state, when burned with oxide of copper and chlorate of potash, 

 6*24 grains gave 18*33 grains CO a , 

 and 5-50 ... HO. 

 This amounts to per cent. — 



Carbon 80*113 



Hydrogen 9*793 



Oxygen 10*094 



100*000 

 Calculated according to the formula C 10 H 7 O, or C 40 H 2S 4 , the re- 

 sult would be as follows : — 



Carbon 80*00 



Hydrogen 9*33 



Oxygen 10*67 



100*00 



After being heated in the water-bath for some weeks, the resin 

 still continued to emit an odour. It was then pulverized, and again 

 heated somewhat higher, when it speedily gave out fumes, and lost 

 its smell entirely. Its composition was then found to be as fol- 

 lows : — 



6*52 grains gave, with oxide of copper and chlorate of potash, — 

 15*89 carbonic acid, 

 5*02 water, 

 which are equivalent to — 



Carbon 66*46 



Hydrogen 8*55 



Oxygen 24*99 



Calculated according to the formula 



'-'40> **30> ^-Ml* 



its composition will be — 



