142 



THE CHEMISTRY OF DORYPHORA SASSAFRAS, 



The material left after the water extraction was then treated 

 with 1 % hydrochloric acid, in order to detect calcium oxalate. 

 The extract was neutralised with ammonia, and precipitated with 

 2 vols, of alcohol. The llocculent brown deposit was dried and 

 burnt, dissolved in acid, iron and other metals removed, the 

 calcium pi-ecipitated as oxalate and titrated. The equivalent of 

 calcium oxalate was 1'23%. 



Results of the preliminary examination of air-dried bark : — 



1. Extracted by petroleum spirit l'J9% 



2. Extracted by ether TOS 



3. Extracted b}' absol. ethyl alcohol 3'20 



4. Extracted by distilled water 500 



10 44 



The approximate constituents found are : — 



(a) 



Volatile essential oils 1117 percent. 



Fixed oils 0-566 



Resins 1-234 



Tannins (etc., pptd. by PbA.). 1240 



Reducing sugars (as glucose) I'OOO 



Saccharose sugars 0530 



Calcium oxalate 1 '230 



Alkaloid (approx.) 0325 



(b) 



24 per cent. 



■63 



■37 



•38 



•11 



59 



•37 



•36 



(a) Calculated on air-dry material ; {b) on material dried at 100°C. 



The prominent features brought to light by the above examina- 

 tion are (l)the existence of a fragrant essential oil, part of which 

 was exceedingly volatile, and passed off into the air at ordinary 

 room temperature. It was found impossible to volatilise the 

 solvent from the ethereal or petroleum spirit solution, in the usual 

 way by a current of air, without losing the greater part of the 

 highly volatile constituents. (2) There was dissolved by alcohol 

 a quantity of aromatic resins; and (3) a small amount of tannin. 

 (4) The presence of an alkaloid was shown. 



Analysis of the Inorganic Portion. 



The ash constituted ^•48% of the original bark. 



3-93% of the bark dried at 100°. 



