CRUDE DRUGS 68 1 



being wanting. It also contains phenyl propyl cinnamate, styra- 

 cin, styrol, free cinnamic acid and vanillin. 



Styrax is also obtained from Altingia excelsa, of the Indian 

 Archipelago. It yields a soft, white, crystalline balsam develop- 

 ing the fragrant odor of styrol and contains about 50 per cent, of 

 an ester of cinnamic acid. A brown solid balsam is also obtained 

 frohi this tree. It has an odor of cinnamon and contains a trace 

 of free cinnamic acid and 9.7 per cent, of cinnamic acid in the 

 form of an ester. The oil from this plant is known as '' Rasamala 

 wood oil," and contains a ketone. 



TEREBINTHINA CANADENSIS.— CANADA TURPEN- 

 TINE, CANADA BALSAM OR BALSAM OF FIR.— A liquid 

 oleo-resin obtained from Abies balsamea (Fam. Coniferse), a tall 

 evergreen tree (Fig. 276) indigenous to the Northern United 

 States and Canada (p. 79). The oleo-resin occurs normally in 

 reservoirs in the bark and forms in vesicles or blisters on the 

 surface, from which it is obtained by puncturing them with the 

 spout of a can used by the balsam collectors. Canada Turpentine 

 is collected chiefly in Quebec. 



Description. — Viscid, pale yellow or greenish-yellow, occa- 

 sionally with a greenish fliiorescence ; transparent ; odor agreeable, 

 terebinthinate ; taste bitter, slightly acrid. 



When exposed to the air Canada turpentine gradually dries, 

 forming a transparent varnish ; it solidifies on mixing 5 or 6 

 parts with i part of magnesia previously moistened with water 

 (distinguishing it from other coniferous resins) ; it is completely 

 soluble in ether, chloroform, benzol or oil of turpentine, and 

 about 80 per cent, is soluble in alcohol (distinguishing it from 

 other coniferous resins). 



Constituents. — About 75 per cent, of a resinous substance, 

 consisting chiefly of 4 acid resins: canadinic, canadolic, and 

 a- and ;8-canadinolic resins, and 11 to 12 per cent, of an indiffer- 

 ent resin canadoresene ; 16 to 25 per cent, of a volatile oil, con- 

 sisting chiefly of 1-pinene; and pimaric acid. 



Allied Plants. — Strasburg turpentine is the product of 

 the European silver fir {Abies alba). It closely resembles the 

 Canada turpentine, but has a lemon-like odor. It contains 24 to 

 30 per cent, of a greenish, fluorescent volatile oil, consisting 



