ANGELICA. 193 



A. atropurpurla, Hoffmann (Plantarum umbelliferarum 

 genera, p. 169), is considered to possess the same properties as A. 

 officinalis. It is a native of the American Continent from Canada 

 to Virginia, in moist meadows. It is described by Bigelow in his 

 Flor. Bostoniensis, p. 68; also in Cornuti's Canadensium Plantarum, 

 p. 199, and in Monet de la Marck's Encyclopedic Methodique, i., 

 p. 173. 



The Angelica sylvestris, Lin., sp. 361, native of Europe, 

 Siberia and the Caucasus, and of frequent occurrence in England,* 

 is less grateful in odour and more bitter in flavour than A. 

 Archangelica. 



An oil very suggestive of the odour of oil of Angelica is the oil 

 distilled from the Persian Gum Ammoniacum of commerce. The 

 yield is about 0*3 per cent, of a dark yellow oil having a sp. gr. of 

 0-891 at 15^, and boiling between 250° and 290° C. (Schimmel). 



As above observed, the odour of musk is noticeable in Angelica ; 

 the plant contains free angelic acid ; the root of Sumbul, a plant 

 belonging to the same natural order, has a very pronounced odour 

 of musk, and contains 9 per cent, of a balsamic resin, which, when 

 brought into contact with water, develops a musky odour; a 

 solution of potash converts this resin into a salt of potassium 

 (sumbulate or sumbuoUate of potassium) and sets free sumhulamic 

 acid smelling very strongly of musk. It has been long since 

 affirmed (Packer and Eeinsch, 1848) that this last acid, contained 

 in Sumbul root to the extent of about J per cent., is simply 

 Angelic acid, wdiich, in angelica root is accompanied by a little 

 valerianic acid. 



Angelic acid C. Hg 0^ may be prepared from oil of chamomile 

 as follows : — 100 grams of oil of chamomile are vigorously shaken 

 with 51 grams of caustic potash, dissolved in an equal weight of 

 water until the wdiole forms a crystalline magma. After standing 

 for 24 hours, this is shaken with as little water as possible, when 

 the alcohols which have been set free form a light layer and are 

 separated. The aqueous salt solution is decomposed by sulphuric 

 acid, extracted with ether, and the ether distilled off. The residual 

 oil quickly solidifies and is then freed from adhering liquid on the 

 filter-pump, well pressed between filter paper and distilled. The 



^ Smith, Eng. Bet., t. 1128; Woodville, Sup., t. 265. 

 



