CINNAMYL. 



the crude essence of bitter almonds, and these 47 parts to con- 

 tain 5.9 parts of free hydrocyanic acid. The last acid is not 

 indicated by nitrate of silver added to a solution of the crude 

 essence in water, owing to the presence of the oil ; to obtain a 

 precipitate of cyanide of silver, ammonia-nitrate of silver must 

 be used, and the ammonia saturated with nitric acid, after the 

 lapse of some time. 



Laurel-water is prepared by distilling with water 2 parts 

 of fresh leaves of the prunus laurocerasus, of which the three 

 first portions are received; the product contains the same 

 elements as the water of bitter almonds. The leaves contain 

 amygdalin and another substance, which appears to act upon it 

 when distilled with water, in a manner analogous to synap- 

 tase. 



CHAPTER V. 



ESSENCE OF CINNAMON AND BODIES DERIVED FROM IT. 



CINNAMYL SERIES OF COMPOUNDS. 



Cinnamyl, C 18 H 7 O 2 =Ci; the hypothetical radical of the es- 

 sence of cinnamon and ofcinnamic acid. 



Essence or oil of cinnamon. According to the recent deter- 

 minations of M. Mulder, C 20 H n O is the formula for oil of 

 cinnamon derived from the cinnamon of Ceylon, of Java and 

 China, and of the flowers or bark of the cassia-tree. This 

 essence absorbs oxygen from the air, and forms cinnamic acid, 

 two different resins and a new oil C 18 H 8 O 2 , which appears to be 

 the substance examined, and considered as oil of cinnamon by 

 MM. Dumas and Peligot. The two resins have the compo- 

 sition C 30 H l5 O 4 and C 24 H 10 O 2 . 



This oil is obtained by distilling with water the bark of the 

 Laurus cinnamoneum, or the flowers and bark of the cassia. It 



* Journal de Pharmacia, t. 26, p. 549. 



