24 ODOROGRAPHIA. 



formula C\o H^^ O3, which he called Myristicin. The correctness 

 of the formula was verified by the preparation of a bromine 

 derivative, — dihromyristicin Q^^'R^^Bt:.-,0.^ — which melts at 

 105° C. 



Another communication from Semmler to the Berlin Chemical 

 Society* announces the discovery in mace oil of an odorous 

 constituent forming white crystals melting at 30'-25 which is 

 shown to be the butenyldioxymethylene — methoxyl derivative of 

 benzene. By oxidation with potassium permanganate it yields 

 myristicinic aldehyde Cg Hg 0^, the butenyl group (C^ H^) being 

 converted into the aldehyde group — C H 0. MyristiciniG aldehyde 

 forms white crystals melting at 130° ; it occupies a position inter- 

 mediate between piioeronal and ajnolaldehyde : — 



/0\ 



Further oxidation of the aldehyde yields myristicinic acid 

 C3 Hg O5, a yellowish- white crystalline substance melting at 

 208°-210° C; by treating this with a strong reducing agent, gallic 

 acid is formed, from which Semmler infers that the three oxygen 

 atoms attached to the benzene ring are in the ortho position 

 relatively to each other, and that the carboxyl group is in the meta 

 position to one of them. 



During the operation of distilling nutmegs, or towards the end 

 of a long distillation, it has been noticed that a crystalline matter 

 collects with the oil on the surface of the water. In the crude 

 state it appears as a greyish semi-solid mass, smelling strongly of 

 nutmegs. By purification by washing with cold spirit of 0'830 and 

 repeated crystallisation from boiling spirit, this body can be separated 

 in the form of large brilliant colourless scales. Professor Fluckiger 

 who made the original investigation^ states that the crystalline 

 form of the scales could not be ascertained, as they never fully 



* Ber. Deutsch. Chem. Ges.'XXIV., 3818. 

 t Pharm. Journ. [3] v. p. 136 



