386 COMPOSITE. 



of green, to remove which it is exposed to sunlight ; it thus acquires a 

 brownish-yellow colour, at the same time throwing down a considerable 

 deposit. 



The investigations of several chemists, performed in 1878-79 in 

 Fittig's laboratory, have shown the oil to contain the following con- 

 stituents : — At 147-148° C. isohutylic ethers and hydrocarbons are 

 distilling, at 177° angelicate of isohutyl, at 200°-201° cmgelieate of 

 isamyl, at 204°-205'' tiglinate of isamyl (both these compound ethers 

 answering to the formula C^H"O.OC*H"). In the residual portion 

 hexylic alcohol, Cff^OH, and an alcohol of the formula C^"B[^''0, are met 

 with, both probably occurring in the form of compound ethers. By de- 

 composing the angelicates and the tiglinate above named with potash, 

 angelic acid, C^H^O^, and tiglinic (or methylcrotonic) acid, isomeric to the 

 former, are obtained to the extent of about 30 or more per cent, of the 

 crude oil. In the oil examined by Fittig, angelic acid was prevailing ; 

 from another specimen E. Schmidt (1879) obtained but very little 

 of it, tiglinic acid was by far prevailing (see also article Oleum 

 Crotonis). 



We have performed some experiments in order to isolate the bitter 

 principle, but have not succeeded in obtaining it in a satisfactory state 

 of purity ; it forms a brown extract, apparently a glucoside. We can 

 also confirm the statement that no alkaloid is present. 



Uses — An infusion or an extract of chamomile is often used as a 

 bitter stomachic and tonic. 



Adulteration and Substitution — The flower-heads of Matricaria 

 Chamortiilla L., designated in Germany Common Charaomiles (gemeine 

 Kamillen), are sometimes asked for in this country. In aspect as well 

 as in odour, they are very difierent from the chamomiles of English 

 pharmacy ; they are quite single, not bitter, and have the receptacle 

 devoid of scales and hollow. 



A cultivated variety of Chrysanthemum Partheniiim Pers., or 

 Feverfew, with the florets all ligulate, and some scales on the receptacle 

 (not having the receptacle naked, as in the wild form), common in 

 gardens,^ has flower-heads exceedingly like double chamomiles. But 

 they may be distinguished from the latter by their convex or nearly 

 flat receptacle, with the scales lanceolate and acute, and less membran- 

 ous. 



The chamomiles of the Indian bazaars which are brought from 

 Persia and known as Babunah, are (as we infer from the statement of 

 Royle) the flowers of Matricaria suaveolens L., a slender form of M. 

 Chamomilla, growing in Southern Russia, Persia, Southern Siberia, also 

 in North America. 



The fresh wild plant of Anthemis nobilis L., pulled up from the 

 ground, is sold in London for making extract, a proceeding highly re- 

 prehensible supposing the extract to be sold for medicinal use. 



^ Is not this plant the Anthemis ? parthe- semper plena in hortis occiirrit, et forte ideo 



nioides'Berah., of which De CandoUe says palesereceptaculi ex luxuriante statu ortaeut 



{Prod. vi. 7) — ". . • simillima ^a<. Par- in Chrysanthemiindico et s'menn , . ."? 

 thenio, sed paleis inter flores instructa. Fere 



