162 Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal [N.S., XII, 



An examination of the bark by the methods described in 

 the experimental part of this note has confirmed the results 

 obtained by Broughton. We have isolated aesculin and scopo- 

 letin, but we have been unable to find any traces of an 

 alkaloid. It would, therefore, appear that Naylor cannot have 

 examined the bark of the Hymenodyctyon excelsum, but must 

 have been dealing with some other bark. 



Experimental. 



A preliminary extraction with Prollius fluid having shown 

 the absence of any alkaloid, several methods were tried for the 

 extraction of the bark, but as the results obtained were in 

 each case practically identical, it will only be necessary to des- 

 cribe briefly one of the methods used. 



The finely powdered bark (1 kilo) was thoroughly mixed 

 with purified sand and extracted by percolation with hot alco- 

 hol, when a dark brown extract was obtained which showed a 

 strong yellowish green Huorscence. After removing the alco- 

 hol, the residual oil was mixed with a little water and repeated- 

 ly extracted with ether. The combined ethereal extracts were 

 washed m turn with dilute hydrochloric acid (A), sodium car- 

 bonate solution (B), and sodium hydroxide solution (C). The 

 ethereal extract was dried and evaporated, when a viscous oil 

 remained. This was subjected to distillation in steam, when a 

 trace of oil passed over (0-5 gram) which possessed a distinctly 

 camphoraceous smell. The residual oil remaining after the 

 distillation was found to consist of a mixture of glycerides 

 which were not subjected to a detailed examination. 



• u The original aqueous solution which had been extracted 

 with ether was concentrated, when a small quantitv of a crys- 

 talline solid separated. This was purified by repeated crystalli- 

 sation from hot water when it was obtained in fine needles 

 which after drying at 100°, melted at 160° and evidently con- 

 sisted of aesculin, since when mixed with a specimen of aesculin 



from another source the melting point was found to be unal- 

 tered. 



The hydrochloric extract (A) was basified and extracted 

 with ether, the ether dried and evaporated when a trace of a 

 resinous substance remained. This substance could not be 

 crystallized, but it showed no alkaloidal properties. 



The strongly fluorescent sodium carbonate solution (B) 

 was acidified, when a quantity of a thick brown oil was depo- 

 sited rhis was ground up with ether when the oil readilv dis- 

 solved , lea vmg a colourless crvstalline solid. This was collected 

 and recrystallized from dilute alcohol, when it was obtained in 

 colourless prismatic needles melting at 203°. The alkaline solu- 

 tion showed a beautiful blue fluorescence. 





