2G6 



A CHEMICAL STUDY OF 



The aqueous extract gave a neutral reaction with litmus. I^egative results fol- 

 lowed examination for tannin, gallic acid, gliicosides, alkaloids, and anj^ compounds 

 containing nitrogen. 



The ethereal residue (the residue insoluble in water) was an opaque reddish-yellow 

 colored substance, and was identified as a resin. It melted at 79° C. It was insoluble 

 in ether, benzole, chloioform, and acetic ether ; incompletely soluble in cold absolute 

 alcohol, amyl-alcohol, carbon di-suljjhide, and oil of turpentine. It was soluble in 

 aqueous and alcoholic soda. On boiling with them, it was saponified. Concentrated 

 sulphuric acid dissolved the resin and colored it a yellowish-brown. Chloroform 

 formed a turbid mixture with the acid solution. The action of strong nitric acid on 

 the resin was slow. The resin was incompletely soluble in 95 per cent, alcohol. Lead 

 acetate gave a cloudiness with the alcoholic solution which increased on boiling. Ferric 

 chloride thickened the alcoholic solution, and on boiling it gave a yellow precipitate 

 which was insoluble in acids, alkalies, absolute alcohol, and acetic ether. The chloro- 

 form extract gave no coloration with bromine solution. 



SUMMARY II. 



Ethereal Extracts. 



1. The bark of the root. 



2. " wood " 



3. " green leaf. 



4. " yellow base of leaf. 



Snlidft er- 

 tratted. 



3.16 p. ct. 



1.70 " 



1.25 " 

 1.70 " 



Character of 

 residue. 



chlorophyll J 



Substances 



soluble inily 



in ether. 



O.Go p. ct. 

 0.50 " 



The residues from the ether extracts (1) and (2) of the bark and of the wood of the 

 root contained I'csins which were identified as the same compound. They correspond 

 in color, melting point, specific gravity, solubilities, and reactions. The resin is a 

 transparent, ruby-colored substance, crystalline in structure, and of a softer consist- 

 ency than ordinaiy resin. It was examined by Plirsehsohn's scheme.* It diftered 

 from all described resins in its reactions Avith the reagents used to identify them. It 

 is proposed to name it yuccal.f 



Yuccal is imperfectly soluble in 95 per cent, alcohol ; soluble in boiling absolute 

 alcohol, in cold ethei", and amyl alcohol ; not appreciably soluble in chloroform, benzole, 

 carbon di-sulphide, and alcoholic ammonia. Cold acetic ether dissolved the coloring 

 matter from the resin, leaving a colorless solid. Hot acetic ether dissolved it perfectl3^ 

 Yuccal when heated on platinum foil gave ofl' as it burned a pleasant and aromatic 



* Loc. cit. 



fSec foot-note, ether extract (2). 



