GLYCYRRHIZIN. 423 



with sulphuretted hydrogen. Purple, amorphous mass. 

 Easily soluble in water and alcohol. Combines with 

 bases, forming colored salts. When boiled with dilute 

 sulphuric acid, it is decomposed, yielding a peculiar 

 uncrystalline, unfermentable sugar, which is optically 

 inactive ; and carmine red, C^H^O 7 , dark-purple, shiny 

 mass ; soluble in water and alcohol, the solution formed 

 being of a red color. Weak acid. 



Fused with potassium hydroxide, carminic acid 

 yields oxalic, succinic, and acetic acids, and a yellow, 

 crystalline substance, coctinin, C 14 H 12 5 ; heated with 

 concentrated nitric acid : oxalic acid and nitrococcusic 

 add, C 8 H 5 (N0 2 ) 3 3 4- H 2 0. 



21. Hellebore'in. 

 C 26 H 44 15 . 



In the root of Helleborus niger, and in smaller quan- 

 tity in that of Helleborus viridis. Colorless nodules, 

 consisting of microscopical needles. Easily soluble in 

 water, but slightly in alcohol. Has a narcotic action. 

 Is resolved, by boiling with dilute acids, into sugar 

 and amorphous helleboretin, C 14 H 20 3 , which is deposited 

 as a dark-violet precipitate, that, however, becomes 

 grayish-green by drying. 



22. Helleborin. 



C36JJ42Q6. 



In the root of Htlleborus viridis, and in traces in that 

 of Helleborus niger. Shiny, colorless needles, arranged 

 concentrically. Insoluble in cold water, easily soluble 

 in boiling alcohol. Is colored an intense red by con- 

 centrated sulphuric acid. Has a stronger narcotic ac- 

 tion than helleborein. When heated with dilute acids, 

 it is resolved into sugar and an amorphous, resinous 

 substance, helleboresin, C 30 H 38 4 . 



23. G-lycyrrhizin. 

 C 24 H 36 9 (?). 



In liquorice root (from Glycyrrhiza glabra\ and in 

 the extract prepared from it. Amorphous, yellowish- 



