MYRSINEA. 351 
appears to be covered with spots of white mildew : this appear- 
ance however, with the aid of a lens, is seen to be due toa 
delicate crystalline efflorescence. If kept for any time the 
outer shell of the fruit becomes much darker. From the rapi- 
_ dity with which this change takes place, we would suppose the 
quality of the drug to be not affected by it. 
Chemical composition.—Warden (Pharm. Journ., Jan. 1888) 
‘separated from the fruit a substance in the form of brilliant 
golden spangles having the properties of an acid, which, with 
caustic soda, potash and ammonia, gave wine-red solutions. 
He obtained crystalline compounds of this acid with soda, 
- potash and ammonia, and provisionally named it Hmbelic 
acid. In a further communication to the same Journal 
(Oct. 20th, 1888), he says:—‘‘ The embelic acid used for 
ultimate analysis was repeatedly crystallized from absolute 
alcohol, and the soft crystalline mass thus obtained strongly 
pressed between layers of cloth to remove mother-liquor. 
The resulting cake was freed from alcohol ‘by exposure to 
, reduced to powder, and finally dried at 100°C. in the 
_ water oven for some hours. 
- On combustion with cupric oxide in a current of oxy ee in 
an open tube, the following results were obtained :— 
- A—'2696 gram gave *6920 gram CO* and 2308 gram HO. 
7 B—-2534 ‘. 68065°% << oH Se a eee 
cs these Geures the following percentage composition is 
seauced :— 
Carbon. Hydrogen. Oxygen. 
A .. 70°000 , 9°495 20°405 
B | vee eee 70-019 9284 (20-747 
Mean 70-009 36420627 
. ‘These percentages lead to the cae C°H'*0%, as is seen by 
2€ following comparison :— 
Theory. Found. 
9 equiv of carbon nnn 108. 70129 70-009 
i Ms _ hye drog ene: pee eeeeeneee 14 . 9°364 
“Oxygen... . Sepeceese ver. 
