9 6 
Mr. Brande’s chemical Experiments 
§ m- 
100 grains of very pure guaiacum in powder, were put 
into a glass retort, to which the usual apparatus was adapted. 
The distillation was gradually performed on an open fire, 
until the bottom of the retort became red hot. 
The following products were obtained : Grains. 
Acidulated water - 5.5 
Thick brown oil, becoming turbid on cooling 24.5 
Thin empyreumatic oil - - 30.0 
Coal remaining in the retort - 30.5 
Mixed gases, consisting chiefly of carbonic acid 
and carbonated hydrogen - - =-9.0 
99-5 
The coal, amounting to 30.5 grains, yielded on incineration 
3 grains of lime. To discover whether any fixed alkali was 
present, 200 grains of the purest guaiacum ( that in drops ) 
were reduced to ashes ; these were dissolved in muriatic acid, 
and precipitated by ammonia ; the whole was then filtrated, 
and the clear liquor evaporated to dryness, but not any trace 
of a neutral salt with a basis of fixed alkali was perceptible. 
§IV. 
From the action of different solvents on guaiacum, it 
appears, that although this substance possesses many pro- 
perties in common with resinous bodies, it nevertheless differs 
from them in the following particulars : 
1 . By affording a portion of vegetable extract. 
2. By the curious alterations which it undergoes when 
