136 PLANT AND ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 



Extract (2), the Wood o) the Root. 



The residual powder from the petroleum spirit extraction 

 was macerated in stronger ether. The ethereal extract was of 

 a reddish-yellow color, slightly acid in reaction. It was slowly 

 evaporated at the ordinary temperature, and as the liquid 

 concentrated, white needle-shaped crystals appeared, and pre- 

 sented the same physical structure as the crystals found in 

 the ether extract (i). 



The ethereal residue was identified as a resin. It was a trans- 

 parent, ruby-colored substance, and acid in reaction. It was 

 heated to 50 C., at that temperature its color deepened, and 

 at 70 C. it melted. The specific gravity of the resin was 1.091. 

 A definite volume of the ether extract was evaporated, dried, 

 and weighed to determine the amount of total solids. 



TOTAL SOLIDS. 



Ethereal residue dried at 100 C 1.70 per cent, of solids. 



" 110 C 1.45 " " " 



c^5 " loss. 



The resin was examined by Hirschsohn's scheme 1 with a 

 view to classify it with known resins. It was imperfectly solu- 

 ble in 95 per cent, alcohol and chloroform, soluble in ether. 

 The alcoholic solution gave a turbidity with lead acetate, not 

 cleared upon boiling, and with ferric chloride formed a clear 

 mixture. Concentrated sulphuric acid dissolved the resin, 

 leaving a dark yellow-brown liquid which faded to a dull yellow 

 color. The sulphuric acid solution, when mixed with alcohol, 

 changed to a pale gray color. On addition of water to the acid 

 solution, there was no coloration nor separation of the resin. 

 Alcohol containing hydrochloric acid gave no color reaction 

 with the resin. Bromine solution added to the chloroform- 

 resin extract, and iodine solution to the ether-petroleum-resin 

 extract, gave no reactions. Sodium carbonate at the ordinary 

 temperature had no effect on the resin, but, on boiling, the 

 liquid was colored yellow. 



1 E. Hirschsohn, Watts's Chem. Diet., vol. viii, pt. ii, p. 1743. 



