134 NYCTAGINE.K 



The fresh roots dried over sulphuric acid lost 81 -136 per cent. 

 in weight ; the ash amounted to 6-135 per cent., and was free 

 from manganese. 



im 



with 



agendorff 



Light petroleum ether extract 0580 per cent 



Ether extract, soluble ia water 0-09 per cent. 



alcohol 0-222 „ 

 Residue insoluble in water 



or alcohol 0-028. ,. 0-340 



„ u ui^^ n 



n 



Absolute alcohol extract 3040 



Aqueous extract containing glucose 1-6 per 

 cent., saccharose or allied carbohydrate 

 7-97 per cent 3062 „ 



The petroleum ether extractive was soft and pale yellowish 

 in colour, non-crystalline, and without any special odour. It 

 consisted of wax, and a pale yellow oil, soluble In absolute alcohol 

 with neutral reaction. 



The ethereal extract was soft and yellowish. The portion 

 soluble in water had an acid reaction, but gave no coloration 

 with ferric chloride. Acidulated with sulphuric acid a slight 

 precipitate was aiforded with Mayer's reagent. The residue of 

 the ethereal extract soluble in alcohol was also yellowish, soft' 

 and on standing became indistinctly crystalline. Treated with 

 water acidulated with sulphuric acid it gave no alkaloidal 

 reactions ;^ with alkalies on gently warming it was slightly 

 soluble, with pale yellow coloration : the colour being destroyed 

 by acids, and whitish flocks precipitated. 



The alcoholic tincture of the roots was of a port-wine colour, 

 and the extract of a deep orange tint. In water part was soluble 

 With acid reaction, and afforded a precipitate with alkaloidal 

 reagents. The extract was treated with ammonia, in which the 

 greater part dissolved, affording a dirty brownish-red solution, 



and the solution agitated with ether: the ethereal extract 



