1896.] Messrs Easterfield and Wood, On Indian hemp resin. 145 



given; it is collected by the natives of India, who are said to 

 walk through the ripe hemp fields dressed in leather jackets to 

 which the resin adheres. This substance is sold in the bazaars at 

 about 10 rupees per seer, but only small quantities may be bought 

 at one time without a special license. The substance is mixed with 

 tobacco and smoked ; it produces almost instant intoxication fol- 

 lowed by no unpleasant symptoms. One of the most remarkable 

 points about Cannabis intoxication is the sensation of complete 

 lack of responsibility which accompanies it, and there is little 

 doubt that the great popularity of Haschish is due to this fact. 



No chemical investigation of Charas has been recorded, and 

 since the narcotic constituent is so highly concentrated in this 

 substance it appeared desirable to make a complete examination 

 of the substance ; the authors would here express their indebted- 

 ness to Mr C. A. Silberrad of Peterhouse, who has procured for 

 them a considerable quantity of Charas, and has supplied them 

 with much information regarding the use of the substance in 

 India where he is now resident. 



Chemical examination of Charas. 



The crude Charas is a substance with a greenish-brown earthy 

 appearance; held between the fingers it becomes intensely sticky; 

 its smell is highly characteristic. In order to isolate the con- 

 stituents the Charas was extracted with alcohol, ether, or other 

 organic solvent, whereby a large quantity of insoluble matter 

 was separated. The alcoholic solution was concentrated and 

 eventually submitted to fractional distillation, at first under 

 atmospheric pressure, and finally in a partial vacuum. By this 

 treatment the following substances were obtained : — 



(a) Insoluble residue. This substance has only been super- 

 ficially examined ; it consists to a very large extent of the hairs 

 of the hemp plant ; it contains upwards of fifty per cent, of ash 

 and about three per cent, of nitrogen. Systematic examination 

 for alkaloids gave negative results. 



(b) The distillate from the alcoholic extract coming over 

 below 300° C. at atmospheric pressure. 



(c) The portion distilling between 270° and 290° at 15 to 

 60 mm. pressure. 



(d) A small quantity of pitch which was not submitted to 

 further examination. 



Constituents of fraction (b). 



Terpene, C 10 H 1(! . By re-fractionation (b) was separated into two- 

 constituents: one of these boiled between 160° and 180° and came 

 over for the most part at 165° to 175°; the substance is a terpene. 



