EUPRORBIACEJ^. 289 



flocks referred to as having separated on agitation with 

 petroleum etlier. The ether was separated from the turhid 

 aqueous layer, and agitated with dilute sulphuric acid to 

 separate any alkaloidal principle. The acid aqueous solution 

 was then rendered alkaline and reagitated with ether. The 

 ethereal solution left on spontaneous evaporation a slightly 

 greenish transparent varnish-like residue, partly soluble in 

 dilute sulphuric acid, the solution affording marked alkaloidal 

 reactions. With Frohde's reagent a dirty red to purple colour 

 was observed, but no other special colour reactions were noted. 



The original ethereal solution, after the agitation with 

 sulphuric acid, left on spontaneous evaporation a brittle, trans- 

 parent, yellow residue, sokible in alcohol with strong acid 

 reaction, but affording no colour reaction with ferric salts. 

 By the action of dilute aqueous caustic soda a part of the 

 ethereal extract was dissolved with a deep port-wine red 

 coloration. The portion insoluble in the alkaline solution 

 was yellowish. The alkaline solution, on the addition of dilute 

 acids, afforded yellow flocks, neai\Iy wholly soluble in ether, and 

 leaving a transparent yellow varnish on spontaneous evapor- 

 ation, with a slightly bitter taste and acid reaction in alcoholic 

 solution. The reddish flocks insoluble in petroleum and 

 ordinary ether wore separated from the original aqueous 

 solution, and, when dry, formed a dirty reddish friable mass 

 without taste or odour. In dilute alcohol this principle was 

 soluble with acid reaction, the solution being of a port- wine 

 colour, and possessing a slight spicy odour and taste. The 

 solution, after being neutralized with ammonia, which deepened 

 the tint, afforded a dirty plum- coloured precipitate with 

 acetate of lead. To the original now clear aqueous solution of 

 the alcohol extractive carbonate of soda was added^ which 

 caused a carmine-coloured precipitate, and the liquid agitated 

 with ether, which failed to dissolve the precipitate. The 

 ethereal solution left on evaj^oration a trace of residue, partly 

 soluble in dilute suphuric acid, the acid solution reacting with 

 alkaloidal reagents. With Frohde's reagent the colour was 

 dirty red to purple, and, like the principle first extracted by 



III.— 37 



