J. M. Stillman—Bernardinite, a new Mineral Resin. 59 
on dilution, and gives a froth like soap-suds on agitation. The 
portion insoluble in caustic potash (65 per cent) is left as a 
glue-like mass of a brownish color. 
A quantity of the mineral was dissolved in caustic potash, 
precipitated with chlorhydric acid; the resin thus obtained was 
subjected after drying to elementary analysis. It gave— 
Carbon = 69°71 per cent. 
959 
Hydrogen 100°00 
Oxygen 
ll Ul 
20°70 
The melting point of this purified resin was determined at 
127°-129° for perfect fusion, though softening at lower tem- 
peratures, 
The acid character of the alcoholic solution, the oxygen con- 
tents, the behavior toward solvents, and especially toward caus- 
tic potash, as well as the temperature at which it melts, all 
indicate the resinous character of the new mineral. To con- 
firm this it was treated in alcoholic solution with alcoholic solu- 
tion of lead acetate, and a flocculent, white precipitate of the 
lead resinate was obtained. It is noticeable that the oxygen 
contents of this resin, as evidenced by both analyses, is much 
greater than is usually found in resins either of mineral origin 
or freshly obtained from plants. 5 
The filtrate, obtained by dissolving in caustic potash and 
precipitating with chlorhydric acid, was evaporated to dryness 
and exhausted with alcohol, and a small quantity of a yellow- 
ish waxy substance ‘obtained of an intense bitter taste, evi- 
dently the substance to which the bitter taste of the mineral as 
well as of its alcoholic extract is due, as the purified resin pos- 
wert no bitter taste. i Aiea: = 
is new resin appears to ess entirely different proper- 
ties and (uipecition. from ae organic mineral heretofore 
described. The South American mineral Guyaquillite seems 
to resemble it in some properties, but differs very materi- 
ally in other essential properties as well as in composition. 
Berengelite, also from South America, possesses a somewhat 
Similar elementary composition (C, ,H,,O a) but differs in all 
other essential properties. At the suggestion of Mr. Redding, 
University of California, February, 1879. 
