402 Transactions. — Chemistry. 



is coloured green by warm hydrochloric acid, and also to karakine, the 

 crystallizable 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 composition 

 of the balsam : — 



Essential oil 31-70 



Besin soluble in alcohol . . . . . . . . . . . . 67-42 



„ insoluble in ether and alcohol . . . . . . . . -31 



Water and nitrogenous matter . . . . . . . . . . -57 



10000 

 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 piirposes (some 50), give not a blue-coloured substance, as the 

 Brachyglottis does, but a red-coloured one — Erythrophyll q,b1 conceive, which 

 is the red colouring matter of autumnal leaves, t The singularity of the fact 

 therefore, that the wood, etc., of the Brachyglottis affords, under the circum- 

 stances described, a blue substance, is strikingly brought home to us. 



* " Trans. N.Z. Inst.," vol. iv., art. 53. 



t The base of this substance is also present in Brachyglottis, but in comparatively 

 small quantity. 



