402 Transactions.— Chemistry. 
is coloured green by warm hydrochloric acid, and also. to karakine, the 
erystallizable and most likely the poisonous resin of the karaka berry.* It 
differs, however, from both these principles in not being a glucoside as I 
have shown these to be. 
The experiments which I have made with this colourable substance upon 
animals have not given results of a nature so decisive as to warrant me in 
ascribing to it the poisonous properties of the balsam, but I hope soon to be 
able to supplement this paper with an account of experiments which will 
settle this interesting point. Sufficient has, however, I think, been adduced 
to show that whether or not this colourable matter is the poisonous part of 
the plant, a very remarkable principle has been found to exist therein, and 
one which is well worthy of the attention of those who have the leisure and 
inclination to make organic chemistry their especial study. To coax the 
labours of these people in this direction, I shall send a sample of the balsam 
to some chemist of repute in the Mother Country for diffusion at his dis- 
cretion. 
I should state that the resin from which this oily matter has been re- 
moved showed no remarkable reaction to chemical tests ; it may be divided 
into two resins by the use of alcohol and ether. 
The following tabular statement represents the approximate aon 
‘Essential oil ..- ; eh aS a = os) SET 
Resin soluble in heal : ay - = .. 67:42 
» insoluble in ether and adit oA mee a ee “31 
Water and nitrogenous matter ma oh ee pa as “iT 
100-00 
In this connection I may observe that the young shoots of all the 
common shrubs and trees which I have treated in this way with acids, for 
comparative purposes (some 50), give not a blue-coloured substance, as the 
Brachyglottis does, but a red-coloured one—Erythrophyll as I conceive, which 
is the red colouring matter of autumnal leaves. + The singularity of the fact 
therefore, that the wood, ete., of the Brachyglottis affords, under the cireum- 
stances described, a blue substance, is strikingly brought home to us. 
*« Trans. N.Z. Inst.,” vol. iv., art. 53. 
+ The base of this substance is also present in Brachyglottis, but in comparatively 
small quantity. 
