68 Suisiance possessing the Properties of Tannin. 



ofcaromel, the flavour was astringent, and it speedily dis- 

 solved in cold water, and formed with it a permanent dark 

 brown solution. 



2i This solution yielded very dark brown precipitates by 

 tl)e addition of sulphate of iron, acetite of lead, muriate of 

 tin, and nitrate of liiue. 



3. Gold was copiouslv precipitated by it from its solution 

 in the metallic state; and, 



4. Bv solution of isinglass, the whole was completely pre- 

 cipitated, so that, after three or four hours, a colourless 

 water only remained. 



The precipitate was nearly black, and was insoluble in 

 boiling water : from whieli property, as well as from the 

 effect produced upon prepared skin by the solution, it was 

 evident that the substance thus obtained from camphor was 

 a variety of the artificial tanning matter, much resembling 

 that which may be obtained from resinous bodies by 

 means of sulphuric acid. But it must be observed that this 

 sort of tanning substance seems to act less powerfully on 

 skin than that which is prepared from carbonaceous sub- 

 stances by nitric acid, and the precipitate which the former 

 produces with solution of gelatine is more flocculent and 

 less tenacious than that which in like manner is formed by 

 the latter. 



It is however remarkable, that when a small quantity of 

 nitric acid was added to the solution of the substance ob- 

 tained from camphor, and when, after evaporating it to 

 dryness, the residuum was dissolved in water, a reddish 

 brown liquid was formed, which acted in every respect si- 

 milar to the tanning substance obtained from the varieties 

 of coal by nitric acid. 



[To he continucJ.] 



XIII. On 



