Of Sassarubrin. 285 



Of this substance ten grains were exposed to the process above 

 mentioned, for the detection of sulphuric acid, and were found to 

 yield a precipitate of 6.5 grains of sulphate of barytes. 



It may be worth while to mention, that in boiling the sulphated 

 oils with nitric acid, compounds are formed finally, which resist the 

 further action of the acid, and are only to be decomposed by the as- 

 sistance of a nitrate and deflagration. 1 conjecture that these com- 

 pounds will be found to merit classification as ethers formed by an 

 oxacid of nitrogen. 



One of my pupils, in examining one of the compounds thus gen- 

 erated, was, as he conceived, seriously affected by it, suffering next 

 day as from an over dose of opium. He also conceived that a cat, 

 to which a small quantity was given, was affected in like manner. 



I had prepared an apparatus with the view of analyzing accurately 

 the various compounds above described or alluded to, by burning 

 them in oxygen gas ; when, by an enduring illness of my assistant, 

 and subsequently my own indisposition, I was prevented from exe- 

 cuting my intentions. 



Art. XIII. — Of Sassarubrin, a Resin evolved by Sulphuric Acid 

 from Oil of Sassafras, which is remar'kable for its eficacy in 

 Reddening that Acid in its concentrated state ; by R. Hare, 

 M. D.j Professor of Chemistry in the University of Pennsylvania. 



I HAVE mentioned in the preceding article that a crimson color is 

 imparted to concentrated sulphuric acid b}^ its admixture with a mi- 

 nute portion of oil of sassafras. This color is due to a peculiar resin 

 elaborated from the oil by its reaction with the acid under favorable 

 circumstances. This reaction is attended by phenomena which are 

 striking, and, in some respects, singular. If a mixture be made of 

 equal parts of the oil of sassafras, alcohol and sulphuric acid, on 

 raising the temperature to a certain point, the whole mass rises up in 

 a resinous foam, of a beautiful color, between copper and purple, 

 with a metallic brilliancy. In some instances, it has been partially 

 forced out of the retort through the beak in a cylindrical mass, 

 which acquired, on cooling, the consistency of pitch. This pitchy 

 substance is a compound of the resin above alluded to and sulphuric 

 acid, with which it forms a soluble substance, neutralizing its sour- 

 ness to a certain extent. By steeping this subacid compound in 



