Chemical analysis of Euphorbia Ipecacuanha. 265 
forming with nitric acid oxalic acid, and a peculiar odorant princi- 
ple. That it contains resin, may be concluded from water precipi- 
tating the alcoholic solution, and alcohol redissolving the precipi- 
tate ; and, from the quantity of carburetted hydrogen it evolves 
when heated, that its emetic matter differs from that found in the 
Callicocca Ipecacuanha, by the French chemists (Messrs. Pelletier 
and Magendie), may be inferred by its not forming a precipitate with 
the gallic acid, which the other does abundautly, nor is its emetic 
principle as soluble in acetic acid, as that of the Callicocca ipecacu- 
anha. 
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To ascertain further its constituent principles, the following 
experiments were instituted: Four ounces of Euphorbia, finely 
powdered, were infused in six ounces of distilled vinegar, specific 
gravity 1300.5, water taken at 1000 ; in 72 hours the vinegar had 
acquired an increase of fifteen grains in specific gravity, and a light 
straw colour, which remained permanent notwithstanding nitric acid 
had been poured on it. To be certain that no mistake had been 
committed in weighing the vinegar, the residuum, insoluble in 
acetous acid, was carefully dried ; when its loss was found to be in 
exact ratio to the increased specific gravity of the solution. 
All the experiments performed on the alcoholic solution were 
repeated, and attended with similar results, except that a quantity of 
mucilage was precipitated by the super acetate of lead. 
