137-3 
a black residue, which finally volatilized. Mannite from /. ornus crystallizes as 
above, loses no weight at 120° (248° F.), fuses at 165°-166° (329°-330.8° F.), 
boils at 200° (392° F.), a portion vo latilizing ; another losing two atoms of the 
compound radical OH, and becoming a syrupy mass of mannitan (C,H,O(OH),) 
which, if left to itself, reverts to mannite by its hygroscopic power; the rest 
remaining unchanged; if, however, the temperature is raised to 250° (482° F.), 
the mass swells up and is destroyed. This body, as isolated from our species, is 
soluble in cold water and boiling alcohol, and insoluble in ether, which is also true 
of the old-world product. | 
Oul of Fraxinus.—A small quantity of this volatile body has been isolated or 
noted by all experimenters upon the bark. It is described by Roberts as some- 
what aromatic, bland, and having a yellow color.* 
Fraxitannic Acid, C,,H,,O,—This body, extracted by Gintl and Reinitzer,+ 
from the leaves of /. excelstor, has not been proven in the bark of our species, 
but the analyses made, except that of Edwards, seem to point to its existence. It 
is described as an amorphous, yellow-brown, brittle body, soluble in alcohol and 
water, and precipitable, like other tannins on saturation with common salt, but 
not by tartar emetic. - é 
[An alkaloid is suspected by Edwards, Roberts, and Kremers, but remains 
to be proven a separate principle from Fraxin.] 
An acrid and a neutral resin, starch, gum, etc., havealso been determined by 
the above experimenters. 
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION. — The experiments of Dr. Wright{ gave the 
following effects from four ounces and a half of the tincture taken in three days: 
Vertigo and headache, followed by fever; fever sores upon the lips; constipation; 
scanty urine; pedal cramps; and wakefulness. 
DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 137. 
1. A female flowering spray, Binghamton, N. Y., May rst, 1586. 
2. Female flower. 
3. Section of ovary. 
4. Fruit. 
(2 and 3 enlarged.) 
* That from the leaves of F. exce/sior has the odor of syringia flowers, boils at 175° (237° Fy )s and has the com- 
position C,,H,,O,.— Aontash. Chem., iii, 745-762, from Am. Four. Phar., 1883, 371. 
+ lbid. 
{ U. S. Med. Investig., 1875, 326. 
