486 



GUM-RESINS 



The resin boiled with solution of potassium hydroxide, yielded 

 galbaresinotannol and umbellic (dioxycinnamic) acid ; the latter, 

 however, is not contained in the drug itself, but is formed from um- 

 bellif erone, the anhydride of umbellic acid which is first split off from the 



FIG. 243. Transverse section through a portion of the stem of Ferula 

 galbaniflua, showing the distribution and structure of the gum-resin 

 ducts, e, epidermis ; c, collenchyma ; m, gum-resin ducts ; h, wood ; 

 mb, bundles in pith ; magnified. (Tschirch.) 



resin and then converted into umbellic acid. The galbaresinotannol 

 was obtained as a brown powder. 



Umbellic acid yields in the cold with solution of potassium hydroxide 

 and chloroform an intense green colour. Umbelliferone when boiled 

 with solution of potassium hydroxide and chloroform yields a similar 

 coloration, as does also galbanum itself. Galbanum also assumes 



