BIGNOKIACEJS. 17 



vegetable was, wliich waa subsequently identified as such after 

 re-solution in limited quantities of ether andi separation there - 

 from. The latter on evaporation gave a brownish-yellow residue 

 small in quantity and crystalline. When further purified by 

 extraction with ether and the ethereal residue by benzol it was 

 golden yellow, unctuous to the touch, and pronouncedly acrid. 

 Under the microscope it presented the appearance of long, wavy, 

 branching crystals, which dissolved readily in alcohol, chloro- 

 form ether, petroleum ether, and benzol, 



B, Tlie marc was next percolated with cold ether. After 

 distilling off the greater portion of the ether, and allowing the 

 remainder to evaporate spontaneously, a yellow mass studded 

 with minute interlacing crystals was obtained, which when air- 

 dried weighed about 4 grams. This product was treated with 

 boiling proof spirit and filtered while hot ; on cooling small 

 yellow crystals fell out of solution. When quite cold the crop 

 of crystals was collected and subjected to the action of boiling 

 petroleum ether until freed from every trace of fat. It was 

 then cystallized from boiling proof spirit until it had a con- 

 stant melting point, and was no longer contaminated with un- 

 crystallizable matter. The resulting crystals were dried under 

 the receiver of an air-pump, and when constant weighed 9 

 gram. They were of a lemon yellow colour, about I inch in 

 length, and melted at 228 •5<'— 229° C. Alcohol, ether, glacial 

 acetic acid, and hot benzol dissolved them readily, but they were 

 practically insoluble in water hot or cold. The following 

 reactions in connection with this interesting body have 1 

 noted, of which the most striking is its behaviour with the 

 caustic alkalies. A minute quantity brought into contact with 

 one drop of a weak solution of sodium potassium or ammonium 

 hydrates causes it to assume immediately a cherry-red colour. 



eeu 



quickly 



Owing 



crystals in water a proof 



spirit solution was used in applying the following tests: 



1. A solution of silver nitrate in proof spirit produced a 



med 



1II.-3 



