582 Drs. Muspratt and Hofmann on certain 



Previous to this Cahours * had converted in a similar man- 

 ner, oil of anise (from Pimpinella cinisum) into anisic acid, for 

 the composition of which he gave the formula Cjg H^ Og. 



In consequence of a discussion between Gerhardt t find 

 Laurent f, this acid was afterwards recognised as identical 

 with the draconic. 



When distilled with an excess of barytes, the draconic or 

 anisic acid yields a colourless liquid, named dracole by Lau- 

 rent and anisole by Cahours. The transformation is very 

 simple, two atoms of carbonic acid being removed by the 

 oxide of barium. 



Ci6 Hg Og + 2 BaO, giving C,4 Hg Og and 2 BaO + 2CO2. 



J 



Draconic acid. 

 Anisic acid. 



Through the beautiful investigation which Cahours § has 

 lately published on the oil of Gaidtheria procumhens, we have 

 become acquainted with the methyle compound of salicylic 

 acid, which is remarkable for possessing the same composition 

 as draconic acid. 



Ci4 H5 O5 , Cg H3 O = Cjg HgOg. 



Salicylate of oxide of methyle. Draconic acid. 



It was worth while to investigate in a comparative manner 

 the action of barytes upon this body. The experiment was 

 performed by Cahours, who ascertained that the oil of Gaid- 

 theria procumbens undergoes exactly the same metamorphosis 

 as draconic acid. 



The draconic acid and the salicylate of oxide of methyle are 

 two compounds whose constitutions could not be imagined 

 more at variance with each other ; nevertheless we see that 

 under the influence of a high temperature and the powerful 

 cooperation of barytes, they yield exactly the same product. 



After the foregoing, it appeared to us to involve sufficient 

 interest to compare the products of decomposition which" other 

 isomeric bodies furnish under the same circumstances ; and, 

 indeed, some experiments made in the laboratory of Giessen 

 have led to results which perhaps are not unworthy of com- 

 munication. 



Fritzsche ||, in his investigation upon the action of potash on 



* Ann, de Chivu et de Phys., 3 ser. t. ii, p. 274, and Annal. der Chem. 

 und Pharm., bd. xli. s. 66. 



t Revue Sc'ient., t. x. p. \M. % Ibid. p. 362. 



§ Ann. de Chivu et de Phys., 3 ser. t. x. p. 327. and Annal. der Chem. 

 und Pharm. f bd. xlviii. s. 6. 



II Bullet. Sclent, de St. PHersb., t. viii., and Ann. der Chem, und Pharm., 

 bd. xxxix'. s. 96. 



