1852.] On Hircine, a new Resin. 79 



It dissolves almost totally (leaving only I think a few of the surface 

 impurities) giving a deep blood- red solution which appears like in- 

 spissated venous blood, which after some days changes to a deep brown. 

 When diluted this solution becomes of a dull, dirty, troubled white 

 colour. 



With Carbonate of Potass a white cloudy and silky precipitate is 

 shewn. 



Dropped into ammonia with precaution it colours the solution brown, 

 and finally when left to settle after saturation, gives clots of a dark 

 brown glutinous matter, which seem to be the original resin in a soften- 

 ed state. 



The action of the Acids on the Alcoholic solution. 



12. It appeared worth while to examine this, as these effects are 

 well marked with guiacum and some other of the resins. The results 

 were — 



The Alcoholic solution, with Nitric Acid diluted with one-fourth 

 water, changes only from a golden brown to a clear gold colour and no 

 change occurs after 48 hours. 



The same takes place with Phosphoric Acid, with a slight white 

 deposit. 



With Sulphuric, Muriatic, and Acetic Acids a white precipitate is 

 produced which is less plentiful with the Acetic Acid than with the 

 two first. In all of them the fluid shews no alteration of colour, 

 except as above noted from a golden brown to a clear yellow or golden 

 colour. 



13. We cannot from so small a portion form any opinion of its 

 economical uses as a varnish, or for sealing wax, or any of the purposes 

 to which shell-lac is supplied, nor can I afford any of it to ascertain its 

 habits with Turpentine and Naphtha. We are also ignorant if it is 

 abundant and at what rate it can be obtained. For the present then 

 I have only named it, provisionally, Hircine. 



more like a piece of Guiacum wood (Lignum vita?) as to colour, but not weight, than 

 like the gum resia of that name, which indeed it does not at all resemble. 



