ANALYSIS OF GAMBOGE. ^(IQ 



it afforded l6 gram. [247 grs] of resin. Tins was trans- 

 parent, red, without any perceptible taste, and pretty de- 

 cidedly electric by friction. When powdered it emitted a 

 pecnliar smell, and assumed a bright yellow colour. 



On pouring water into a saturated solution of thw resin precipltatadby 

 in alcohol, there is a sensible evolution of heat, and a uni- ^•'^*^'^» 

 form, yellowish, milky liquid is produced; while most other 

 resins are precipitated from alcohol in clots. 



Sect, III. Solution of potash acts very quickly on the and acted on 

 resin of gamboge, particularly if heated. The result is a ^^ potash 

 red liquid of an oily appearance, in which the properties 

 of the potash are neutralized. On evaporating this com- 

 pound almost to dryness, it crystallizes like the solution of 

 aloes. 



The soap or saponule of this resin is of a deep red ap- Soap from it. 

 preaching to black, and feels greasy between the lingers. 

 When dried it is friable, and resembles a resin. It has the 

 taste of rancid fat, leaving a slight sensation of acrimony at 

 the root of the tongue. It is easily soluble in water, with- 

 out rendering it turbid. Acids precipitate this solution in 

 auch abundance, that the whole becomes a thick coagulum 

 of a fine yellow colour. Lime-water throws down from it 

 a fine orange coloured precipitate. Earthy salts and most 

 solutions of the white njetals likewise produce yellow pre- 

 cipitate* in it. It precipitates sulphate of iron brown, and 

 nitrate of copper green. 



Sect, IV. Ten gram, [154*4 grs] of the resin of gamboge Th« resin 

 were put into a retort with 80 parts of strong nitric acid of ^.^^^V^ 

 the shops. As soon as the retort felt the heat of the fire, 

 red vapours arose, the intensity of which sodn disappeared. 

 The first product was returned into the retort, and the 

 operation continued, till the matter was dissolved, and the 

 solution reduced to the consistence of a sirup*. On cooling 

 a mass of lamellar crystals was formed, enveloped in a vis- 



• The product of this di-,ulIation, being thoroughly saturated with Product o/ 

 chalk, and distilled anew, yielded a slightly acid liquor, of a very pun- the dittilU- 

 fent smell, and bitter to the taste. Alkalis gave it a lig'U yellow tinge. *'®"* 

 On adding sulphate of iron to this niix'.ure a precipitate was formed, — 



which was completely soluble in acids j so that there was no prussic acid 

 in this liquid, but 1 am not fully acquainted wUh its nature. 



cid 



