90 Historical Sketch of Improvements in [Aye. 



(1.) A substance possessing very nearly the properties of bird 

 lime. 



(2.) A resin united to a little oil, which gives its odour to 

 gentian. 



(3.) An extractive, similar to the extract of cinchona, which 

 constitutes the greatest part of gentian, and which possesses the 

 bitter taste and the other characters which distinguish this 

 plant. It possesses no nlkahne characters ; but agrees with 

 those already recognized in the bitter principle. 



(4.) Gum united to a colouring matter. 



(5.) A salt with a calcareous base possessing the characters 

 of a phosphate. 



(6.) It contains neither starch nor inuHn, nor any alkaline 

 substance. (Jour, de Pharm. v. 97.) 



7. Flowers of the Arnica Montana. — These flowers have been 

 subjected to a chemical examination by MM. Chevallier and 

 Lassaigne, who have obtained from them the following sub- 

 stances : 



(1.) A resin having the odour of arnica. 



(2.) A bitter nauseous substance, resembling the emetic sub- 

 stance from the cytisus laburnum {cytisine). 

 (3.) Gallic acid. 

 (4.) A yellow colouring matter. 

 (5.) Albumen. 

 (6.) Gum. 



(7.) Muriate and phosphate of potash. 

 (8.) Traces of sulphates. 

 (9.) Carbonate of h me. 

 (10.) Silica.— (Ibid. v. 248.) 



8. Seeds of Mustard {Sinapis Nigra). — M. Thibierge has 

 examined mustard, and found it to contain the following consti- 

 tuents : 



(1 .) A fixed tasteless oil which may be obtained by expression. 



(2.) A volatile oil which may be obtained by distilHng a mix- 

 ture of mustard and water, and dropping a little soda into the 

 milky liquid which comes over. This oil is the substance to 

 which mustard owes its acrid properties. It is soluble in water; 

 but not in alcohol or ether, and when kept for some time it 

 allows a quantity of sulphur to precipitate. It acts as a vesi- 

 catory. 



(3.) Albumen. 



(4.) Gum. 



(5.) Sulphate and phosphate of lime. 



(6.) Sihca.— (Ibid. v. 439.) 



It deserves to be again noticed, that M. Drapiez hag 

 found that the fruit of the fewillea cordifolia is a powerful anti- 

 dote against vegetable poisons. {Annals of Philosophy, xv.389.) 



h. Lignin. — One of the most remarkable circumstances con- 

 nected with the vegetable principles is the property which 



