290 
Selectmis. [no. 4, new series. 
red is not therefore apparent by this means, but it becomes manifest when 
after agitation, a thin layer of liquid covers the upper sides of the bottle. 
Then, in whatever way we look at this thin layer, it appears of a beautiful 
green hue. 
This same green colour appears again and remains, when, after having 
dissolved the Wood Oil in alcohol, the solution is left to spontaneous evapo- 
ration : one may then see towards the upper yart of the capsule, between 
the portions of green resin, white starry tufts which are due to a peculiar 
principle, the future examination of which I leave to those who have a 
larger quantity of the liquid at their disposal. As to the resin, it has 
acquired a permanent green hue, which is also perceptible in the dry resin 
which remains after the Wood Oil has been boiled for a,ponsiderable time 
with water. This green colour, which is that also q.^" the beautiful Piney 
Resin {Vateria Indica L.) that was shown at the Exhibition, establishes a 
point of relation between two products originating in trees belonging to 
the same family, that of the DipterocarpecB. But there the resemblance 
stops, for the resin of Vateria Indica is insoluble in alcohol, and very im- 
perfectly so in ether, whilst the green resin of Wood Oil is easily soluble 
in either of these menstrua. Finally, the Wood Oil of the Exhibition behaves 
as Copaiba, when treated with ammonia or calcined magnesia. With one 
sixteenth of calcined magnesia it very speedily solidifies, and a mixture of 
it with ammonia becomes liquid, and almost transparent, after an instant 
of opacity. 
I am far from concluding with Mr. Lowe, that the two oleo-resinous 
bodies [Copaiba and Wood Oil] are chemically identical ; but as regards 
their employment in medicine, I think, as in the case of bodies of analogous 
composition, such as turpentines and balsams, liquid or solid, all their 
vegetable components may be of vise as a remedy for a catarrhal condition 
of the mucous membranes. I may remark, in conclusion, that Mr. Han- 
bury 's Wood Oil, and that from the Exhibition, have probably not been 
extracted by a similar process. It seems to me that the former has been 
obtained by the action of fire in the manner described by Roxburgh ; the 
latter has doubtless been obtained without the intervention of this agent, 
for I do not find in it the indication which characterizes oils that are the 
resultof thc^actionof fire upon Ycsms." — PJiarmaceuticalJournal, XV. 332 
The foregoing extracts show how valuable an article of com- 
merce these oils which are largely produced both in India and 
Pegu are likely to become when they shall have obtained the amount 
of attention they deserve. 
