BARK OF FOUQUIERIA SPLENDENS 125 



A table of the specific gravity of the different kinds of waxes, 

 prepared by Dietrich, 1 shows the density of animal wax to be 

 notably low, compared with vegetable waxes. Allen 2 states 

 that the presence of vegetable wax in adulterations of bees- 

 wax is positively established if the density of the sample ex- 

 ceed .970. 



By the method followed out in this analysis, petroleum 

 spirit extracted from the powdered bark a substance of con- 

 stant melting-point, which is identified as a wax. It resem- 

 bles, in its ethereal solution not clouding on addition of alco- 

 hol, Bahia wax; in melting-point and specific gravity, car- 

 naiiba wax; also the latter wax by its insolubility in water 

 and action with nitric acid. It differs from carnaiiba wax in 

 its greater degree of solubility in absolute alcohol, ether, 

 and aqueous alkalies. Linseed oil is an active solvent for it, 

 but does not dissolve carnaiiba wax. The color reactions of 

 the petroleum spirit residue with sulphuric acid have been 

 described above. It is stated that sulphuric acid produces no 

 effect with carnaiiba wax. 3 



The wax obtained from the bark of Fouquieria splendens 

 differs generally in its properties from known vegetable waxes, 

 and is evidently a new wax peculiar to this plant. I propose 

 that it be called ocotilla wax. 



In the ether, absolute alcohol, and water extracts, the pre- 

 sence of an acid resin, a white crystalline substance, gum resin, 

 glucose, possibly glucosides, gum, and a red coloring matter 

 were indicated. 



The investigations described in the preceding pages were 

 conducted in the chemical laboratory of the Philadelphia 

 College of Pharmacy, August and September, 1884. 



1 E. Dietrich, "Specific Gravity of Wax." Journal of Chemical Society, 

 1882, vol. xlii, p. 1139. 



2 A. H. Allen, Commercial Organic Analysis. (Also see in same work tables 

 of sp. gr., Waxes.) 



8 A. B. Prescott, Outlines of Proximate Organic Analysis. 



