43-4 
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.— Aescudin, C,, H,, O,, + H,O. This aromatic 
glucoside exists in the bark of many trees of the genera Pavia and Aesculus. It 
crystallizes in fine, snowy needles and globules, which lose their water of crystalli- 
zation and fuse at 160° (320° F.), decomposing at higher temperatures, They 
are soluble in both hot and cold water and in alcohol, their solutions exhibiting a 
fine light-blue fluorescence. Boiling with dilute mineral acids decomposes this 
body into glucose and | 
Aesculetin, C, H, O,, another glucoside, which also exists in a free state in the 
bark. This body is only sparingly soluble in water, and crystallizes in bitter 
needles, which break down under the action of boiling potash into formic, oxalic, 
and protocatechinic acids. 
Paviin, C,, Hy, Ow. This glucoside is considered identical with fraxin, and 
will be found described under Fraxinus Americana, 137. 
Oul of Aesculus. This oil is readily obtained from the nuts of this species by 
etherial extraction. It resultsasa beautiful yellow liquid, congealing at 1° (33.8° F.), 
and becoming solid at —5° (23° F.). 
Quercitrin, C,, H,, O,. This coloring matter of quercitron, occurs in the testa 
of the nut,* and in the flowers. 
Aesculetinic acid is one of the resultants of a still farther decomposition taking 
place in glucose and aesculetin when they are decomposition products of the ac- 
tion of baryta water upon aesculin. 
Aescinic acid.* This amorphous body is a decomposition product of aphro- 
daescin when boiled with liquor potassa. 
Argyraescin. This acrid, amorphous glucoside was discovered by Rochelder 
in 1862 as a constituent of the seed. It is soluble in alcohol and water ; a watery 
solution forming a soapy foam on agitation. This body together with 
Aphrodaescin,* another acrid, amorphous principle, having the same proper- 
ties of solubility and saponification, and breaking down under the action of a con- 
centrated mineral acid into sugar and aescigenin,* so markedly resemble saponin 
that a question arises as to whether they are specific principles, or are to be con- 
sidered together as 
Saponin, C,. H,, O,, This peculiar glucoside, existing in the roots of Sapo- 
naria officinalis, many species of Lychnis,+ Polygala Senega,t Gypsophila Stru- 
thium§ Lucuma glycyphlea,|| Monninia polystachya,, Quillaja Saponaria** and 
many other plants, including ferns; has, before the observation of Rochelder, been 
accounted a principle of the nuts of this plant. It is a white, amorphous, sternu- 
tatory powder, having at first a sweetish, then a pungent and lastingly acrid taste. 
It is readily soluble in water, the solution frothing like that of soap on agitation, 
and is resolved under the action of concentrated hydrochloric acid into an amor- 
phous sugar and sapogenin. 
Although our tincture is made of the nuclei of the nuts only, still it would 
seem as if the bitterness, astringency, and acrimony present, were due to all or 
nearly all of the above constituents found in the bark. 
* Rochelder. + Githagin. t Senegin, Polygalin.  Struthiin. || Monesin. [ Monninin, ** Quillajin 
