BURSERACEZ:. 309 
‘to yield an acid distillate. The oil begins to-boil at about 
266° C., and chiefly distils over between 270° and 290°. 
‘‘On combustion in the usual way it afforded carbon 84°70, 
hydrogen 9:98. Having been again rectified in a current of 
dry carbonic acid, it had a boiling point of 262 to 263° C., and 
now afforded carbon 84°70, hydrogen 10°26, which would 
nearly answer to the formula C2? H5? O, The results of 
Ruickhold’s Analysis (1845) of essential oil of Myrrh assign it 
the formula C!¢ H!* O, whith is the same as that of carvol and 
thymol, and widely different from that indicated by our 
experiments. The oil which we rectified displays a faintly 
- greenish hue; it is miscible in every proportion with bisulphide 
of carbon, the solution exhibiting at first no peculiar colour- 
ation when a drop of nitric or sulphuric acid is added. Yet 
the mixture to which nitric acid (1:20) has been added, 
assumes after an hour or two a fine violet hue, which is very 
persistent, enduring even if the liquid is allowed to dry up in 
alarge capsule. If to the crude oil dissolved in bisulphide of 
~ carbon bromine be added, a violet hue is produced, and if the 
solution is allowed to evaporate, and the residue diluted with 
‘spirit of wine, it assumes a fine blue, which disappears on 
addition of an alkali, The oil is not altered by boiling with 
_ alcoholic potash, nor does it combine with alkaline bisulphites. 
: “The bitter principle of Myrrh is contained in the resin as 
_ extracted by alcohol. By exhausting the resin with warm 
- water an acid brown solution is obtained, from which a dark, 
viscid, neutral mass separates if the liquid is concentrated ; it 
is contaminated with a large amount of inorganic matter, from 
which it may be purified by means of ether. Yet the latter 
affords also but an amorphous, somewhat brittle brown — 
substance, softening at 80°—90° C. This bitter principle is 
but sparingly soluble in water, and the yellowish solution ae 
intensely bitter. The bitter principle of Myrrh gage to me - 
_ & glucoside.” oe 
 Commerce.—The sources of supply have been already 
” Value, Bander Karam, Rs. 34 per maund of 374 iss — 
_ Rs, 16 to 25 per maund ; refuse, Rs. Cg mauud, ts 
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