Holly and Ilicine. 5 
boiling, the residue of the powder being deprived of all taste, 
the liquids were mixed, filtered, and evaporated to three- 
fourths. On the addition of a solution of subacetate of 
potass, (which was added in excess,) the liquid assumed a 
thick viscous appearance. A solution of two ounces of sub- 
carbonate of potass being then added, it appeared more 
limpid on being well stirred: this not only destroyed the vis- 
cosity which impeded the filtration, but threw down the sub- 
acetate of lead in excess. After having refiltered, half an 
ounce of dilute sulphuric acid was added, which caused a 
white precipitate. The liquid being acid, was saturated with 
carbonate of lime, and, being again filtered, it was evapo- 
rated to the consistence of an extract, which possessed all 
the bitter taste of the plant. I treated this matter with alco- 
hol of 40°, and decanted off the clear portion, and by eva- 
poration obtained a brown substance, attracting moisture 
very rapidly, having a very bitter taste, and rather an agree- 
able odour. I dried this product, and procured it in shining 
lamine. I then treated that portion of the extract which 
was not dissolved by alcohol at 40°, with alcohol at 36°, and 
obtained by the same means a product, which only differed 
from the first by being of a deeper yellow colour. 
Second process. The product of the decoction evapo- 
rated to the consistence of an extract, was treated with alco- 
hol at 36°, and the spirit renewed until nothing further could 
be dissolved. ‘The liquids were all then mixed and evapo- 
rated, and the product procured dried, and then put into 
water at the temperature of 40°. After half an hour, the 
liquid was filtered, and precipitated by a solution of subace- 
tate of lead, the excess of which was thrown down by sul- 
phuretted hydrogen. It was again filtered, and evaporated 
in a porcelain vessel to the consistence of an extract, which 
was treated with alcohol at the temperature of 36° (therm. 
Reaum.), and afterwards dried as in the first process. 
This second process being more expensive, and less bitter 
principle being obtained than by the first, it is therefore not 
to be commended, 
Third process. ‘This consists in making an alcoholic ex- 
tract of the leaves, which should be mixed with water, and 
afterwards treated with subacetate of lead, sulphuric acid, 
and carbonate of lime; and alcohol should then be added, 
and the product, when filtered, evaporated, and dried, gives 
a substance which presents the following characters, when 
submitted to the following different tests: ‘The acids do not 
decompose it, unless the temperature be raised; it then as- 
sumes a black appearance, iad disengages an empyreumatic 
4 
