76 H. G. SMITH. 



(L) 1-017 gramme oil required 01148 gramme potash, therefore 

 saponification figure = 1 12*8. 



(2) 3 2378 gramme oil required 03612 gramme potash, saponi- 

 fication figure =111-6. 



The result of the analysis of the acid gave a molecular formula 

 C 14 H 18 2 as determined by its silver salt. Amyl alcohol is the 

 alcohol of the ester, and considering the acid as monocarboxylic, 

 the formula of the ester would be C 13 H 17 COOC 5 H n with a molecular 

 value of 288, therefore the percentage of ester in the oil of 

 E. aggregata is for No. 1 determination 58 per cent., for No. 2 

 equivalent to 57 - 4 per cent, or a mean value of 57*7 per cent.; 

 this is assuming no other ester to be present in the oil. 

 Determination of the alcohol of the ester. 



A portion of the oil of E. aggregata was boiled for some time 

 with aqueous potash, a good reflux condenser being used. The 

 solution was then distilled. The aqueous solution obtained was 

 surmounted by an oily substance in which the odour of amyl 

 alcohol could be detected. The aqueous solution, which gave the 

 iodoform reaction, was separated from the oily portion and 

 redistilled. Nothing was obtained boiling below 100° C; the 

 distillate contained a few oily globules ; neither methyl nor ethyl 

 alcohol was present. The distillate gave the iodoform reaction 

 readily, and on boiling it with sulphuric acid and sodium acetate 

 the solution had the characteristic odour of amyl acetate. The 

 oily portion of the first distillate was redistilled, it commenced to 

 distil at 130° C, and the portion distilling between 130° - 135° C. 

 was collected ; although masked somewhat by the presence of a 

 portion of the other constituents of the oil it had the odour and 

 gave the reactions for amyl alcohol. When oxidised with potassium 

 bichromate and sulphuric acid, and treated in the usual way, the 

 acid obtained had the characteristic odour and reactions of valeric 

 acid. The alcohol of this ester is therefore amyl alcohol. 



Determination of the acid of the ester. 

 The fraction obtained distilling between 245° - 292° C. was 

 agitated with aqueous potash, the alkaline solution was acidified 



