Application of the Micro-spectroscope, dec. By Thos. Palmer. 229 
pound was in some way or another produced by the decomposition 
of chlorophyll itself through the direct action of light and heat, 
for the spectrum produced by the remaining solution after the wax 
has been fully precipitated has become, as will be noticed in Fig. 3, 
lighter, while the bands, though very nearly all constant, are more 
or less shaded at the extremities ; there is, moreover, another band 
produced from what was previously but part of the general 
absorption. 
Fig. 1. — Newly formed Leaves on Young Shoots of Laurel in Alcohol. 
M. 
\ 
Observations. 
1 
23-97 
Centre 
651-0 
Class 1. Very shaded; size -145. 
2 
{ffS } 
Commencement 
/ 498-0 \ 
\ 445-0 J 
Very shaded at first, then gradually 
dark till quite black. 
Fig. 2. — Mature Leaves of Laurel prepared in Alcohol. 
1 
22-035 
Centre 
645-0 
Class 1. Very black; size -565. 
2 
J22-742 
\21-0 
Centre 
End 
595-0 \ 
582-0 / 
„ 2. Shaded; size -365. 
3 
20-065 
Centre 
532-0 | 
„ 1. Shaded, centre dark ; size 
•270. 
4 
20-535 
Commencement 
514-5 
General absorption. 
Fig. 
3.— Mature Leaves of Laurel prepared in Ether. 
1 
22-037 
Centre 
645-0 
Class 1. Very black ; size -415. 
2 
22-700 
598-5 
„ 1. Very shaded; size *200. 
3 
20-200 
526-9 
„ 1. Very shaded; size ‘200. 
4 
20*700 
Commencement 
509-0 
General absorption. 
Fig. 4. — Mature Leaves of Laurel, the Wax of which has been Precipitated. 
1 
23-957 
Centre 
652-0 
Class 1. Very black ; size -475. 
2 
22-75 
J) ' * * * 
595-0 | 
„ 1. Centre dark, ends shaded, 
size -3. 
3 
20-135 
529-41 j 
„ 1. Centre dark, ends shaded, 
size '35. 
4 
20-985 
Commencement 
500-42 
„ 1. Shaded, size "63. 
5 
18-00 
468-50 
General absorption. 
The wax, if required for testing, may be extracted in the 
following manner : 
Digest the bruised leaves first in water, and then in alcohol, 
till every part which is soluble in these liquids is extracted. Then 
mix the residuum with six times its weight of a solution of pure 
ammonia, and after sufficient maceration, decant off the solution, 
filter it, and drop into it while it is incessantly stirred, diluted 
sulphuric acid, till more be added than is sufficient to saturate the 
alkali.* The wax is then precipitated in the form of a yellow 
* This point may be most accurately determined by using the method I have 
previously described, see my paper (vol. xvii. of our Journal, p. 232), where all the 
necessary points to be observed are clearly set forth. 
