Chemistry. lxxa 
(2.) The vegetable acids are the best solvents of this poisonous 
substance, and most proper to neutralize its deleterious action. 
(3.) The fruit of the menispermum cocculus contains likewise 
a peculiar acid, to which Boullay has given the name of menis- 
permic acid. It possesses some properties analogous to those 
of the malic acid; but it is distinguished from the other vege- 
table acids by the property which it has of precipitating per- 
sulphate of iron green, and sulphate of magnesia white. The 
menispermate of magnesia is not decomposed by sulphuric acid. 
is acid does not readily crystallize; nor is it converted into 
oxalic acid by the action of nitric acid. 
(4.) The fruit of the menispermum cocculus contains two 
peculiar fixed oils, possessing different properties, and having a 
different consistence. 
(5.) It appears to contain likewise a quantity of sugar.— 
(See Jour. de Pharmacie, 1819, p. 1.) 
18. Lichen Praxineus—M. Cadet has subjected a lichen from 
Teneriffe, said to be employed as a red dye, to some experiments ; 
but did not succeed in extracting any thing from it likely to be 
of use to European dyers. By treating the lichen successively 
with ether, alcohol, and water, he extracted the following con- 
stituents : 
, (1.) Areddish yellow colouring matter, soluble in water. 
(2.) A fatty substance, soluble in ether, but insoluble in alco- 
hol; tases | by the alkalies soluble in water ; but at the same 
time changing its colour. 
(3.) A resin soluble in alcohol ; but precipitated by water. 
(4.) An extractive matter. 
(5.) A salt with base of lime. 
(6.) A-very small quantity of mucilage.—(Jbid. p. 54.) 
X. ANIMAL SUBSTANCES. 
1. Cochineal—MM. Pelletier and Caventon have published 
an elaborate set of experiments on the cochineal insect, They 
found it composed of the following substances ; 
(1.) Carmine. | 
(2.) A peculiar animal matter. 
stearine, 
(3.) A fatty matter composed of, elaine, and 
“gt is odorant acid. 
(4.) The following salts: phosphate of lime, carbonate of 
lime, muriate of potash, phosphate of potash, potash united 
to an animal acid. Bi f 
The substance to which these chemists have given the name 
of carmine, is the colouring matter of the insect. John had al- 
ready made some experiments on it, and had given it the name 
of cochinealin ; but it would appear from the result of the expe- 
riments of Pelletier and Cayenton, that John did not succeed 
in obtaining this substance in a state of purity. Hence the 
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