STUDIES ON FLAX RETTING. 



calcium carbonate and filtered again. The filtrate was concentrated, with the 

 addition of a little calcium carbonate, to about 20 c. c. in a partial vacuum. 

 The solution was extracted, at first with 85% alcohol and then twice with 

 95% alcohol. The clear solution thus obtained was concentrated to a syrup 

 and preserved for further investigation. 



Qualitative Test. 



Qualitative reactions were tested at the outset of the investigation to get 

 a general idea of the chief constituents of the gummy preparation. 



1. Microchemieal tests were applied to determine the presence of 

 pectin, cellulose and lignin. The presence of pectin was ascertained by 

 staining with congo red or with phlorogluciu and hydrochloric acid but none 

 of the characteristic reaction could be observed. 



2. A small amount of the substance was heated in a test tube with 

 hydrochloric acid and then a little quantity of phlorogluciu and equal volume 

 of concentrated hydrochloric acid were added and heated. The filtrate gave 



wit], hydrochloric acid of 1.06 sp. gr, a distillate was obtained which gave the 

 characteristic furfurol reaction with anilin acetate. The distillate was also 

 tested for the .presence of methyl furfurol by the spectrum reaction of Oshima 

 and Tollensi). The presence of simple pentosan as well as methyl pen- 

 tosan was thus confirmed. The presence of galactan was also examined by 



