186 Proceedings of the Royal Society 
I. 
II. 
Mean. 
Carbon, 
59-52 
59-72 
59-62 
Hydrogen, . 
7-62 
lost. 
7-62 
Nitrogen, . 
5-48 
5-48 
Oxygen, . 
2618 
26-08 
Ash, .... 
I '20 
1-20 
100-00 
100-00 
In the ash traces of sulphur and phosphorus were detected. 
The substance is slightly soluble in water, 10 per cent, sodium 
chloride solution, and in weak alkali solutions ; but other liquids 
seem to have no solvent action upon it. It has no perceptible action 
upon sugar solution or gelatinised starch. It differs from the other 
albuminoids in containing a notably smaller amount of nitrogen 
(only one- third), whilst the numbers obtained for carbon, hydrogen, 
and oxygen for its composition very nearly agree with those of the 
other albuminoids. Active principles of malt (diastase), koji, and 
saliva do not possess the same property of exerting the peculiar 
action above mentioned upon urushic acid. 
Two series of experiments were instituted to test the activity of 
the nitrogenous matter upon urushic acid, first at different tempera- 
tures, and secondly in different gaseous media. For this purpose a 
small quantity of Yoshino juice was put into a covered beaker and 
subjected to the regulated heat of the water-bath, the water lost by 
evaporation being replaced. The heated juice was next thinly coated 
on a glass plate, and left to dry in a box, the air of which was kept 
constantly moist by the falling in of drops of water. The time of 
heating in each experiment was from three and a half to four hours, 
and the temperature of the drying-box was 20° C. 
1. At ordinary temperatures (20° C.) the sample dried after 3J 
hours in air, and the same under a bell jar containing 
moist oxygen gas dried after less than 2 hours. 
2. The juice heated to 30° C., sample dried after 4 hours. 
3. „ „ 40°~43° C, „ „ 4J „ 
4. ,, „ 50° C., „ time not known. 
5. „ „ 55°~59° C., „ after 24 hours ; 
The surface of the lacquer had a dull appearance. 
