66 



jrlncose or sucrose. The alcoholic solution is neutral to litmus paper. 

 Alcoholic l?ad acetate solution does not produce a precipitate." The 

 crystals melted at 192 ° C. An elementary analysis of them led to the 

 formula, C29 H24 Os . They were named piscidia. 



The work of the present writer consists of a proximate analysis of 

 the bark and a special search for the principle called piscidia. The ap- 

 proximate analysis was conducted according to the scheme of Dragen- 

 dorff. The material was used in No. 40 powder. The percentages 

 stated are for the air-dry bark. 



Per cent. 



Petroleum ether extract : 



Caoutchouc, saponifiable wax and fat, etc. 0*61 

 Ether extract: 



Glucose, saccharose, resin, piscidia, etc. 0*86 



Absolute alcohol extract : 



Glucose, saccharose, resin, etc. 51 



Water extract: 



Mucilaginous and albuminous substances, 14.78 



per cent.; dextrin, 3 38 per cent.; saccharose, 



1.20 per cent., etc 22*43 



Alkaline water (2 per cent. NaOH solution) extract: 

 Mucilaginous and albuminous substances, 1*28 



percent., etc. 4 40 



Acidulated water (1 per cent. '1 solution) ex'ruct : 



Pararabin, 1*35 per cent. 4*00 

 Starch 1 -34 



Moisture 9*25 



Ash 



Potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, chlor- 

 ine and phosphoric oxide 10*55 

 Cellulose and undetermined substances 46*05 



Total 100*00 



Tannin was not found. The acidulated water extract contained 

 calcium phosphate but not calcium oxalate. 



After completing the proximate analysis a special search was made 

 for the principle piscidia. The method used by Hart was followed. 

 For this purpose a fluid extract was made by exhausting 500 grammes 

 of the bark with an alcohol of 78 per cent, strength. The extract was 

 concentrated by distilling off the alcohol until about lOOcc. of liquid 

 remained in the flask. This liquid was poured into a beaker containing 

 30 grammes of quicklime, which had been previously slaked with enough 

 water to make a thick paste. The milk of lime and concentrated 

 extract were intimately mixed, the mixture allowed to stand in a warm 

 place for a half hour, then strained, and the residue pressed. The liquid 

 was then filtered through paper to obtain it in a clear condition. 



