96 Scientific Proceedings, Royal Dublin Society. 



As I have pointed out, taxine when first precipitated is in an extremely 

 finely divided state. The flocculation that takes place in the precipitate is due 

 to the growth of minute spherical masses. These spherical masses grow as if 

 they were crystals ; in the course of two months, at ordinary room tempera- 

 ture, some of the spheres attained a diameter of O'Ol mm. Examined in 

 polarized light these spheres show no indication of double refraction. 



When taxine is suspended in water, and carbon dioxide passed through it, 

 some taxine is dissolved. On filtering and allowing the clear liquid to stand, 

 exposed to the air, a pellicle forms on the surface and a precipitate separates. 

 No trace of crystalline structure can be detected in either the pellicle or the 

 precipitate. 



When a solution of taxine in ether is cooled by means of liquid air, a 

 white cloud forms consisting of very finely divided matter, and the cloud 

 increases as the temperature falls ; but at no time is there any appearance of 

 crystallization. Several otlier attempts to induce crystallization by methods 

 in common use were equally unsuccessful. 



