Experiments on the Sanguinaria canadensis. 247 



lored mass, slightly adhesive, and of a very acrid taste. This 

 red matter is soluble in water; and this watery solution affords 

 a bright red precipitate, with proto-chloride of tin ; is not 

 altered by solution of alum, but is changed to a yellowish 

 brown color by carbonate of potash. Some unsuccessful 

 attempts were made to fix this color on cotton. 



§3. 



An analysis of the root of the S. canadensis, with a view 

 to separate its proximate principles, was attempted, but the 

 results were not satisfactory. A detail of the experiments is 

 here stated, rather to show the utter insufficiency of some of 

 the usual modes of vegetable analysis, than for any other 

 purpose. 



(1.) Two hundred grains of the dried root in fine powder, 

 were rubbed to a paste with cold water, in a clean glass mor- 

 tar, and the whole transferred to a glass jar ; cold water was 

 then added, and the whole suffered to stand, with occasional 

 stirring, for twenty-four hours. A clear yellow solution was 

 thus obtained, which was cautiously decanted, and the remain- 

 ing portion was repeatedly washed with cold water, as long 

 as it appeared to extract any soluble matter. The solution 

 thus procured was then concentrated by evaporation, and 

 during this process its color became darker, and changed to 

 a brown, and small insoluble flakes appeared. The whole was 

 now evaporated to dryness at 212° F., and weighed 26 grains. 

 The color of the substance thus procured, was not altered by 

 acids, nor did it affect litmus paper. After standing a few 

 days, it was found to have deliquiated; and on the addition 

 of cold water, a partial solution was effected, which had a 

 brown color, and produced on turmeric paper the usual effect 

 of alkalies. A careful examination of this fluid showed that 

 it contained carbonate of soda, nitrate of potash, sulphate of 

 lime, and a trace of some compound containing chlorine. 



