CROCUS. 



GG 



t 



also adopted in 1858 by Rochleder. Weiss in 1807^ has shown that it 

 is a glucoside; for which he retains the name of Folyckroit, while the 

 new colouring matter which results from its decomposition he terms 

 Crocin. It agrees with the Crocetin of Rochleder. 



Polychroit was prepared by Weiss in the followhig manner: saffron 

 was treated with ether, by which fat, wax, and essential oil were 

 removed ; and it was then exhausted with water. From the aqueous 

 solution, gummy matters and some inorganic salts were precipitated by 

 strong alcohol. After the separation of these substances, polychroit was 

 precipitated by addition of ether. Thus obtained, it is an orange-red, 

 viscid, deliquescent substance, which, dried over sulphuric acid, becomes 

 brittle and of a fine ruby colour. It has a sweetish taste, but is devoid 

 of odour, readily soluble in spirit of wine or water, and sparingly in 

 absolute alcohol. By dilute acids, it is decomposed into Crocin, sugar, 

 ami an aromatic volatile oil having the smell of saffron. Weiss gives 

 the following formula for this decomposition : 



polycliroit crocin essential oil sugar 



Grocm is a red powder, insoluble in ether, easily soluble in alcohol, 

 and precipitable from this solution on addition of ether. It is only 

 slightly soluble in water, but freely in an alkaline solution, from which 

 an acid precipitates it in purple- red flocks. Strong sulphuric and nitric 

 acids occasion the same colours as with polychroit; the former producing 

 fleep blue, changing to violet and browu, and the latter green, yellow 

 and finally brown. It is remarkable that hydrocarbons of the benzol 

 class do not dissolve the colouring matter of saffron. 



The oil obtained by decomposing crocin is heavier than water ; it 

 boils at about 209° C, and is easily altered,— even by water. It is 

 probably identical with the volatile oil obtainable to the extent of one 

 per cent, from the drug itself, and to which its odour is due. 



Saffron contains sugar (glucose?), besides that obtained "^J the 

 decomposition of polychroit. The drug leaves after incineration 5 to b 

 per cent, of ash. 



Production and Commerce— In France the cultivation is carried 

 on by small peasant proprietors; the flowers are collected at the end ot 

 September or in the beginning of October. The stigmas are q^^ckJy 

 taken out, and immediately dried on sieves over a gentle fire, ^p^^^^J^^ 



they are exposed for only 



to 8,000 flowers are rcq^^iii^v^ ^ o - 



fresh saffron, which by drying ilreduced to 100 grammes _ 



Notwithstanding the high price of saffron, its cultivation is by no 

 "jeans always profitable, f?om the many difficulties by which it is 

 attended. Besides occasional injury from weather, the bulbs are often 

 damnfr^'^i 1-^ *^- ^-- • --^ -^-iiA i.,r n^Lnrnpl m 1728^ and a^cain 



rrammes (Vih 



^y Montagne in 1848.^ , i • q o-r, 



The most considerable quantity of saffron is now produced in bimn 

 namr^Ur ;^ T _ i ^. t^t „_ij« — «,. Ali'nnnfp m the Drovincc 



o 



JJSg^ers and Huaemann, JahresherkU 'Man. del' Acad, des Sciau:es, 1728. p. 



^mtation, Avril, 1869. Sqfran, conuue sous le nom de taeon. 



