88 



menstrua which notoriously act upon the last-named hodies. 



Nor does it appear to contain that description of vege- 

 table mucilage somewhat allied to gums, and called 

 Bassorine. The incomplete action of alcohol and alkalies 

 upon it, clearly throw it out of the list of ordinary resins, 

 such as colophany, guaiac resin, cobaina resin, elemi resin, 

 animi resin, and others. 



The more decisive analysis, subsequently given by Dr. 

 Brett, is the following : 



" The substance was burnt in the usual way with oxide 

 of Copper. The following is its composition in 100 parts : 



Carbon 71. 17 



Hydrogen 9. 56 



Oxygen 19. 27 



100. 00 



If the atomic constitution be deduced from this analysis we 

 shall have the following formula : 



c. 24. H. 19. o. 5. 

 There is a resin noticed by Thompson in his Organic 

 Chemistry, and also by Liebig, called Pasto-resin, which 

 appears to have been analysed by Boussingault, the compo- 

 sition of which is identical with the Ceradian-resin. The 

 per centage composition of the Pasto-resin : 



Carbon 71. 43 



Hydrogen 9. 52 



Oxygen 19. 05 



100. 00 



This establishes an interesting example of Isomerism. We 

 have not, however, as yet had an opportunity of studying 

 the physical and general chemical character of the so-called 

 Pasto-resin." 



Dr. Watson thinks it highly probable, from a variety of 

 facts, that this was the frankincense mentioned in scripture ; 

 but Dr. Maclagan, who corresponded with him on this 

 point also, does not speak decisively. 



There are two specimens of the living plant in town at 

 present, to which those in the society who are intimate with 

 the subject will look with considerable interest. 



