54 PROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY 



oil, it contained pyroxanthine in small quantity, which could be pre- 

 cipitated by the addition of sodic hydrate. 2,000 grms. of (c) gave 45 

 grms. of the lighter oil, which was pale yellow when freshly distilled, 

 but it turned dark brown on standing. In attempting to fraction it, a 

 constant boiling point could not be obtained between 75° and 200°. 

 About two grms. of a substance distilled between 75° and 85°, which 

 formed crystals with acid sodic sulphite, indicating the presence of 

 methylethylketone ; but the quantity obtained was insufficient for 

 analysis. The penetrating odor observed in the distillate between 95° 

 and 105° was characteristic of the allyl compounds. It was possibly 

 due to a trace of allyl acetate, since after heating with sodic hydrate 

 and neutralizing the solution a qualitative test for acetic acid was 

 obtained with ferric chloride. This oil distilled for the most part be- 

 tween 150° and 200°. Finding, however, that a constant boiling- 

 point could not be obtained with the supply of substance at my com- 

 mand, I did not consider it worth while to fraction the amount of 

 material necessary to obtain the oil in large quantity. 



The important characters of this product, as they have appeared in 

 the course of the preceding examination, may be summarized as 

 follows : — 



1. The high percentage of aldehyde in (a), of methyl acetate in 



(a) and (b), and of methyl alcohol in (c). 



2. Presence of methyl formiate. 



3. Absence of dimethylacetal. 



4. Small percentage of acetone. 



5. General purity of the product. 



