MELIACE@. 327 
The leaves contain a small quantity of a bitter substance of a 
similar character but much more soluble in water. This 
substance, also contained in the bark, is a hydrate of the resin, 
which it closely resembles in its properties —(Pharm. Journ., 
(3), iii, 992.) 7 
Margosa or Neem oil extracted from the seeds and examined 
by Warden had a specific gravity of -9235 at. 15°5° C.; at about 
10°—7° C, it congealed without losing its transparency.. After 
standing for about 86 hours the recently expressed oil deposited — 
a white sediment, which examined microscopically was found to 
_ be amorphous. The colour reactions of margosa oil were not. 
_- characteristic. With concentrated sulphuric acid a rich brown 
_ colour was yielded, and a strong garlic odour evolyed. By 
__ Massie’s test with nitric acid the oil became almost immediately _ 
of a reddish colour; after. standing about one hour and thirty 
minutes the. colour was pale yellow. The elaidin reaction — 
conducted according to Poutet’s directions yielded a solid firm 
yellowish product after eighteen hours, the temperature in the 
laboratory varying between 89° and 98° F. Exposed in a thin 
layer ona glass plate toa temperature of 100° C. for some 
days the oil did not dry or become tacky. The oil was easily 
Soluble in ether; chloroform, carbon bisulphide, benzole, &e. 
Absolute alcohol agitated with it was coloured greenish; on 
Separating the alcohol, and evaporating off the. spirit, an extract | 
Was obtained which consisted of oil, from which a small residue, 
whitish in colour, separated on standing. The alcoholic extract 
Was very bitter, and possessed in a marked degree the peculiar — 
odour of theoil. The whitish residue deposited from the oil 
 8ppear crystalline. Margosa oil after repeated agitation with = 
alcohol was found to have lost its bittertiess and almost wholly . 
its alliaceous odour. ea 
A known weight of the oil was saponified with alcoholic poleehe a 
the alcohol completely evaporated off, and the soap dissoly Sg a 
water. On agitating the aqueous solution of the soap with ether, 
1:60 per cent. of ether extract was obtained of an — 
Separated by alcohol, and examined microscopically, did Hot 2 - 
