BIXINER, - 145 
Chemicat + sompastinesee the hydraulic press the seeds 
- yield from 25 to 30 per cent. of oil, to ether 51°5 per cent. 
r The oil is sherry-yellow. Sp. gr. ‘9450 at 85° F., and turns 
green with the sulphuric acid test (ef. Phar. Sots: March 
_ 25, 1876), it deposits in cold weather a quantity af crys 
_. talline fat. A chemical examination of the oil, by Moss, 
has shown that the existence of any alkaloidal substance is 
-, doubtful, at least so far as to account for any medicinal efficacy, 
He finds it to contain a peculiar fatty acid, gynocardic 11°7 
_ per cent., associated with palmitic acid 60:0 per cent., hypogeeic 
acid 4'0 per cent., and cocinic acid 2°3 per cent., in combinntel 
_ with glyceryl as fats, and the two former in the free state as 
F Gynocardic acid crystallizes in yellowish plates, melts — 
., has an acrid burning taste, probable formula C}* 
; 
: 
he oil to be mixed with an ethereal solution of ferric chloride, 
nd the mixture tobe evaporated until the oil becomes of a 
dirty green colour; it is then allowed to cool, and a few drops 
of sulphuric acid are added, which produce a fine greenish-blue 
olour. The colouring matter may be dissolved out by chloro- 
form, with which it forms a dichroic solution like that of chloro- 
ah This solution gives a deep absorption band extending 
from 40° to 70° of the scale (the sodium-ray coinciding with 
°). In proportion as the solution is diluted the black band 
ecomes fainter, until, with a very weak solution, only a 
arrow very pale band can be seen, extending between 40° 
ad 48° of the scale. o 
“The ane is the result of the Se of the seeils:— 
[ Glucose ee: 
Fixed salta....<: steno ee 
Albumenoid matt 
Colaunne matters, 
oluble in water ......... 91752 
