YirCCA ANGUSTIFOLIA. 267 



odor. Tests failed to show the presence of benzoic or cimiamic acids. A blood-red 

 color reaction was obtained by warming yuccal with a ci-ystal of ammonium molybdate 

 and a few drops of strong nitric acid. AVarm dilute nitric acid dissolved the resin, color- 

 less; cold nitric acid gave a brownish-green color reaction. Yuccal was mixed with 

 concentrated nitric acid and heated. After some time had passed, an energetic reac- 

 tion occurred and nitrous fumes were given off. A yellowish-brown residue was one of 

 the products of the reaction. This residue was almost insoluble in water, or acids. It 

 was soluble in alcohol and potassium hydrate.* 



As the ether extracts (1) and (2) were concentrated, white needle-shaped crystals 

 appeared floating in the liquids, whose physical structure, and insolubility in water 

 and acetic ether, suggested identical substances. The crystals separated fiom yuccal 

 by the lead acetate method, already described, have not been sufficiently studied to 

 identify them with the white needle-shaped crystals in the ether extracts nor with any 

 class of chemical compounds. However, the absence of gallic acid, glucosides, and 

 alkaloids in the acpieous extracts from the ethereal residues, would show that the 

 crystals separated from yuccal are a constituent part of the resin. 



The experiments with spirit of different strengths are only of value, so far as they 

 were carried out, in showing the possibility of separating the resin into distinct jiai'ts.f 



Tannin was not present in these ethereal extracts. 



Ethereal extract (3) was green-colored and fluorescent iVom the chlorophyll of the 

 leaves. On evaporating, the ethereal residue was amorphous and of a green color. 

 The aqueous extract obtained from treating this ethereal residue was neutral in reaction 

 and bitter to the taste. It contained neither gallic acid, tannin, noi- glucosides. It was 

 agitated with acetic ether, and the solvent removed a solid, which undei- the micio- 

 scopc ])roved to be white needle-shaped crystals arranged iu bundles. Potash solu- 

 tion formed a yellow-colored mixture with the crystals, hydrochloric acid discharged 

 the color. The sulyect has been too little studied to state definitely if these crystals 

 are or are not identical with the ciystals found iu the ethereal extracts {1) and (2). But 

 it should be noted, that unless the crystals from Ethereal extract (3) arc brought into 

 aqueous solution mechanically b}' some compound not present in ethereal extract.'f^l), and 

 (2), the indications are in favor of tlio crystals from (3) not being identical with them; 

 foi' the crystals from (1) and (2) were insoluble in water and not removed by acetic 

 ether. 



* See fool-note 3, ether extract (2). 



f The amount of material on wliicli these experiments, as well as others described in this paper, were tried, was 

 too small in quantity for me to obtain more conclusive results. The facts which have been ascertained will serve as a 

 guide in future investigations. 



A. P. s. — VOL. x\i. 2n. 



