420 COMPOUND PRODUCTS. CHAP, f, 



SUBSECTION VII. 



Benzole Acid. From the Styrax Benzoe, a tree 

 which grows in the Island of Sumatra, there exudes 

 a resinous substance known in the shops by the 

 name of Benzoin, and in which the benzoic acid is 

 contained. It is distinguished from the other acids 

 by its aromatic odour and extreme volatility. 



It has been obtained also from the balsams of 

 Tolu and Storax ; and is used in pharmacy, in the 

 preparation of boluses and electuaries. 



SUBSECTION VIII. 



Prussic Acid. The Prussic Acid is generally 

 classed among the animal acids, because it is obtained 

 in the greatest abundance from animal substances. 

 But it has been proved to exist in vegetable sub- 

 stances also, and is procured by distilling Laurel 

 leaves, or the kernels of the Peach and Cherry, or 

 Bitter Almonds. 



When pure it exists in the form of a colourless 

 fluid, with an odour resembling that of Peach-tree 

 blossoms. It does not redden vegetable blues. But 

 it is characterized by its property of forming a 

 blueish green precipitate when it is poured, with a 

 little alkali added to it, into solutions containing 

 iron. 





