338 J. C. Marquart's Report of the Progress of PJiytochemistry 



acid changes it into oxalic acid, by which circumstance it dif- 

 fers from populin. It consists according to Petersen * of C 4 H 5 

 2 , from which the statement of the discoverer, C 14 H 13 3 , 

 widely differs. 



Bonastref obtained from the distilled water of aromatic 

 pink, a crystalline substance, which according to its physical 

 properties belongs to this place; it has been named by him 

 eugenin, but according to Dumas it is a hydrate of the aethereal 

 oil of pinks with a certain quantity of mixed water. 



What was lately described by Roger as digitalin, is no al- 

 kaloid but belongs to this section, and has been called by 

 Radig, who submitted the base from Digitalis to a more accu- 

 rate examination, picrinj. 



Fremy§ extracted from the fruit of JEsculus Hippocastanwn, 

 a substance similar to the saponin of Saponaria, which distin- 

 guishes itself particularly by the circumstance that when treated 

 with hydrochloric acid, a peculiar acid, sesculic acid, is ob- 

 tained from it. We did not mention this under the acids, be- 

 cause as yet it is uncertain whether it is a product or an educt. 



The berberin discovered by the Buchners, father and son||, 

 in the bark of the roots of Berberis vulgaris, belongs, from its 

 degree of solubility, to this section, and ranges itself near to 

 phlorrizin ; it contains however nitrogen, €33 H^ N 2 12 , by 

 which it differs from rhabarbarin, to which in other respects it 

 is nearly allied. Buchner brings it under the section of sub- 

 acids, a reference not very appropriate. It forms a light yel- 

 low powder, consisting of fine silky needles, which becomes 

 red at 100° Reaum., and yellow again when it becomes cold; 

 it melts at a higher degree of heat. It is insoluble in sulphuric 

 aether, and petroleum; alkalies and most of the metallic salts 

 form with it orange-yellow combinations. 



The peculiar basis of the colour of Lichens was found by 

 Gregory^ also in Variolaria amara, and must not be con- 

 founded with the variolarin mentioned in De Candolle's Phy- 

 siologie, but is more similar to erythrin. This substance is 

 easily soluble in alcohol and aether, less so in water, tastes 

 bitter, loses its bitterness by the action of vapour of ammonia, 

 and becomes red. The orcin discovered by Robiquet in Va- 

 riolaria dealbata is volatile at 100°, and sublimes into a cry- 

 stalline thick enamel-like mass. Its composition according to 

 Robiquet**isC 14 H 22 5 . 



* Annalen der Pharmacie, vol. xv. part 1. 



t Journ. de Pharm. Oct. 1834. 



X Pharm. NoveUen, von Ehrmann, 1834, part 2. 



§ Ann. de Chim. et de Physique, Jan. 1835. 



|| Buchn. Repert., lii. part 1. 



f Journ. de Pharm., Juin, 1835. *♦ Ibid. Aout, 1835. 



