144, ANALYSIS- OF A GUM-RESIN FROM MADAGASCAR. 



time in this liquid, at a temperature sufficiently high, a 

 portion of the animal matter, which appears to be contained 

 in it, undergoes putrefaction, and imparts to the water a 

 fetid smell, analogous to that of cauliflowers ; which appears 

 to indicate the presence of sulphur. 



The portion that remains still enjoys all its properties. 



3. Acetous acid, boiled with this substance, takes from it 

 some matter, which appears to be of an animal nature; for 

 it is precipitated by galls, but not by alkali*. What is not 

 dissolved by the vinegar possesses the same properties as be- 

 fore, or at least nearly so. 



3. Ten grammes [154*4£> grs] of this matter, subjected to 

 distillation, yielded an empyreumatic oil, mixed with an 

 acid liquor, which diffused an ammoniacal smell, when 

 potash was mixed with it. 



The coal, when burned, left I dec. [P54 gr.] of yellowish 

 ashes, containing a little phosphate of lime, some carbonate 

 of lime, and a trace of oxide of iron. ■ 



This matter having the appearance of starch, or at least 

 seeming to contain some, a principal object of all the expe- 

 riments made with it was to discover this.; but not the 

 least trace of it could be detected. 

 Result. From this examination it seems to result, that the sub- 



stance is a mixture of unorganized woody matter, and of 

 vegeto-animal matter, which, having been superabundant 

 in the vegetable, were expelled to its exterior, and there 

 formed an excrescence. 



Sect. II. Analysis of a gum-resin, sent in the year 13 from 

 Madagascar to the Isle of France, by Mr. Chapellicr, and 

 thence to the Mitsetim of Natural History by Mr. Victor 

 Jannet, in November, 1808. 



Gum-resin This gum-resin is of a greenish brown colour. It burns 



fron Mada- swelling up, and emitting a thick smoke, with a smell not 

 fe s ' \cr\- pleasant; and leaves ashes containing carbonate of 



1 i en e. 

 * ,.j j Alcohol, assisted by a gentle heat, dissolves a great part 



of it; leaving a residuum greasy to the feel, which alcohol 

 attacks only when boiling, and the greater part of which 



separates 



