Of Sassarubrin. 285 
Of this substapce ten grains were exposed to the process above 
mentioned, for the detection of sulphuric acid, and were found to 
yield a precipitate of 6.5 grains of sulphate of barytes. 
It may be worth while to mention, that in boiling the sulphated 
- oils with nitric acid, compounds are formed finally, which resist the 
further action of the acid, and are only to be decomposed by the as- 
sistance of a nitrate and deflagration. I conjecture that these com- 
pounds will be found to merit classification as ethers formed by an 
oxacid of nitrogen. 
One of my pupils, in examining one of the compounds thus gen- 
erated, was, as he conceived, seriously affected by it, suffering next 
day as fiom an over dose o opium. He also conceived that a cat, 
to which a small quantity was given, was affected in like manner. 
Thad prepared an apparatus with the view of analyzing accurately 
the various compounds above described or alluded to, by burning 
them in oxygen gas; when, by an enduring illness of my assistant, 
and subsequently my own indisposition, I was prevented from exe- 
cuting my intentions. 
Arr. XHI.—Of Sassarubrin, a Resin evolved by Sulphuric Acid 
Jrom Oil of Sassafras, which is remarkable for its efficacy in 
Reddening that Acid in its concentrated state; by R. Hare, 
., Professor of Chemistry in the University of Pennsylvania. 
I Have mentioned in the preceding article that a crimson color is 
imparted to concentrated sulphuric acid by its admixture with a mi- 
nute portion of oil of sassafras. This color is due toa peculiar resin 
elaborated from the oil by its reaction with the acid under favorable 
circumstances. ‘This reaction is attended by phenomena which are 
striking, and, in some respects, singular. If a mixture be made of 
equal parts of the oil of sassafras, alcohol and sulphuric acid, on 
raising the temperature to a certain point, the whole mass rises up in 
a resinous foam, of a beautiful color, between copper and purple, 
with a metallic brilliancy. In some instances, it has been partially 
forced out of the retort through the beak in a cylindrical mass, 
which acquired, on cooling, the consistency of pitch. This pitchy 
substance is a compound of the resin above alluded to and sulphuric 
acid, with ‘which it forms a soluble substance, neutralizing its sour- 
ness toacertain extent. By steeping this subacid compound in 
