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When the oil of sassafras is put into contact with bromine, 
great heat is evolved, much hydrobromic acid is evolved, and 
a solid product obtained, which, washed with alcohol until 
the excess of bromine and some secondary products are re- 
moved, is a brilliant white, crystalline powder. If this be 
gently heated it becomes yellowish pink. It fuses at about 
300°, and soon after decomposes, giving off hydrobromic acid, 
and depositing charcoal. It is moderately soluble in ether, 
and by the cooling, or the evaporation of its ethereal solution, 
it can be obtained in brilliant oblique rhombs. The formula 
of this body is Cyy H, O, Br;. 
When oil of sassafras is treated with nitric acid, very vio- 
lent action is produced, and a large quantity of oxalic acid is 
formed ; but by diluting the acid, and avoiding much eleva- 
tion of temperature, a resinoid substance is obtained, of a pale 
yellow colour, soluble in alcohol and ether, slightly soluble 
in boiling water, and depositing on cooling. This body is 
quite destitute of acid characters, but it dissolves in alkalies, 
and may be precipitated by solutions of earthy or metallic 
salts, with the bases of which it forms definite compounds. 
The formula of this substance, which I term nitro-sassafras, is 
Cs Hg O, N, and it is evidently formed by the action of 
Cy Hy O4-+ Ny Oro 
C, O,.+ Hy O, and N; Og, 
giving 
besides 
Cis He Og N. 
When oil of vitriol is put in contact with oil of sassafras, 
an intense and beautiful crimson colour is produced. This is 
so remarkable as to constitute a very decisive means of recog- 
nising this essential oil. On studying this reaction more 
minutely, it is found that the oil of sassafras enters into a 
direct compound with oil of vitriol, and there is produced an 
intensely deep purple resinoid body, soluble in alcohol and 
ether, a little soluble in water, destitute of acid reaction, yet 
dissolving in alkalies, and being precipitated by the alkaline 
