ikcicinmaala 
425 
terior extremity of the abdomen, receives two long czca, which 
may be traced forwards, one at either side of the body, till 
they terminate anteriorly by entering the basal joint of the 
first pair of legs. A large central nervous mass may be easily 
demonstrated. It is placed near the middle of the cephalotho- 
rax, of a somewhat stellate figure, with four pyriform lobes, 
from which nervous filaments pass off to the surrounding parts. 
The reproductive system is very obscure ; to it, however, 
may probably be referred a pair of tubular organs, placed in 
the anterior part of the abdomen, terminating at one end in a 
cul de sac, which contains a striated, curved body, and appa- 
rently opening at the other upon the surface. The larva is 
hexapod. ‘The structure of the oral organs is similar to what 
oceurs in Gamasus. 
Sir Robert Kane read a paper on the composition of the 
essential Oil of the Laurus Sassafras, and of certain compounds 
derived from it. 
This oil, which has a specific gravity of 1087, boils at 
438° Fahr. By fusion with potash it is not acidified. Its com- 
position was found to be expressed by the formula Coy Hy O,, 
the same as that obtained by Saint Evre for the stearopten, 
with which it is consequently isomeric. 
When this oil is treated with chlorine, a great deal of 
muriatic acid gas is produced and given off, and finally a very 
thick liquid is produced, which requires to be kept for a long 
time at a temperature of boiling water to free it from the ex- 
cess of muriatic acid gas; the same may be done by washing 
with a small quantity of water of ammonia, and then expe 
sure to a moderate temperature, when the chlorine com- 
pound can be obtained again, quite anhydrous. Its formula 
is found to be Coy Hy O, Cl. When this body is heated to 
about 350° of Fahr., it suddenly and violently decomposes, 
gives off much muriatic acid, and deposits a large quantity of 
charcoal. 
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