340 



A thin emulsion was formed by adding 500 c.c. water to 420 grams ol 

 latex, and this mixture was distilled for six hours by direct heat, adding more 

 water as required. It was found preferable to boil the solution directly, because 

 when steam was passed into it, an objectionable projection of the material took 

 place. A water-white oil came over with the steam and separated easily into a 

 well-defined layer upon the surface of the water, which was markedly acid, due 

 to the presence of the volatile acids. On continued boiling the gum went into 

 solution, the resin separating in a more or less powdery condition. After the 

 distillation was completed the resins were allowed to solidif\- and cool in the flask, 

 the aqueous portion being thus more readily removed than when filtration was 

 attempted. The aqueous portion thus obtained from the resins was filtered 

 clear, evaporated down, and the gum precipitated b\- the addition of a large 

 amount of alcohol. 



The \'olatile Oil. 



The oil floating on the surface of the distillate was separated; it measured 

 20 c.c. = 3"8 per cent, of the late.x. It was colourless, and had a characteristic odour, 

 somewhat aromatic, but recalling slightly that of the hydrocarbon menthene. 

 It had a specific gravity at 11° C. = 0-80577; refractive index at 22° C. = 1-457; 

 rotation «„ = 4-3-2°. These results indicated that bodies other than terpenes 

 were present. 



On redistilling the oil (765 mm. pressure) it commenced to distil at 150° C. 

 (uncor.;, and between that temperature and 155° C, 55 per cent, distilled. This 

 had specific gravity at t|° C. = 0-7907; refractive index at 22° C. = 1-4482; 

 rotation «i, = 4-4-8°. 



In a chloroform solution it readily discoloured a weak solution of bromine; 

 the fraction was thus partly unsaturated, and active to light. Unfortunately, at 

 this stage the bottle was broken and the contents lost. It is evident, however, 

 that the results indicated the presence of compounds other than the members of 

 the terpene group. 



The remainder of the latex received (260 grams) was then distilled as 

 previously stated, and 12 c.c. of the oil obtained. The bottle containing this oil 

 was placed aside, having at the time no intention of proceeding furtlier with it, 

 but ten months afterwards a layer of a resin-like substance had formed at 

 the bottom of the bottle. It was then thought desirable to distil it again, and so 

 endeavour to locate the mode of alteration, .\fter separating the first few drops, 

 there were obtained 4 c.c. boiling between 151-153° C, ecpial to ^y^ per cent, of 

 the oil. T'liis sei)arated quite sharply, and the remainder had a much higher 

 boiling point. That the 4 c.c. thus obtained was an almost pure product is shown 

 by the results of the analysis. It boiled somewhat constantly at the corrected 



