76 ODOROGEAPHIA. 



empirical formula was found to be CioH^^O... Dissolved in 

 alcoholic potash and warmed, the solution, if strong, almost 

 instantly becomes filled with minute nacreous crystals, and the 

 whole at once dissolves when diluted with water. Upon distilling 

 the solution nothing but ethyl alcohol was found in the aqueous 

 distillate. The faintly coloured solution left in the flask gave an 

 exceedingly voluminous white precipitate when acidified. The acid 

 thus separated was found to agree with the formula Cj^^ H;^^ 0^, 

 and as this acid was the only product of the saponification 

 discoverable in the alcoholic solution, the formula of the crystalline 

 principle rendered it very probable that it was the ethyl salt of this 

 acid. Dr. Thresh's further researches lead him to the conclusion 

 that the acid he obtained from Hedycliiuni spicatuni is identical 

 with the acid jjrepared by Perkin, by the action of acetic anhydride 

 on anisic aldehyde in presence of sodium acetate, viz., Methyl- 

 'jparacoumaric acid, of the same constitution, C;^^ H^^ Os-* 



The proximate analysis of the rhizome of Hf-dychium sjncatuin 

 gave the following results : — 



Soluble in Petroleum ether — 



Ethylmetliylparacoumarate 3'0~| - .q 



Fixed oil and odorous body 2-9/ " * 



Soluble in alcohol — 



Xeutral substance precipitated by tannin) c^.-j 

 Acid, resin, &c J " ' 



Soluble in water — 



Glucoside or saccharine matter 1*0 



Mucilage 2*8 



Albuminoids, organic acid, &c 1*9 



Starch 52-3 



Moisture 13'6 



Ash 4-6 



Cellulose, &c 15-2 



100-0 

 It does not appear that the roots of other species of Hedychium 

 have been examined, but the flowers of several of them are remark- 



* Paracoumaric acid was obtained by Hlasiwetz by boiling aloes with dilute 

 sulphuric acid ; the yield being 1 to To per cent. Ann. Chem. Pharm. 

 cxxxvi. p. 31. 



