i 231 3 
XV. On the nature and combinations of a newly discovered vege- 
table acid ; with observations on the malic acid , and sugges- 
tions on the state in which acids may have previously existed 
in vegetables. By M. Donovan, Esq. Communicated by 
IV. H. Wollaston , M. D. Sec. R. S. 
Read June 1, 1815. 
Having often observed the sour disagreeable taste of the 
berries of the Sorbus (orPyrus) Aucuparia, it occurred to me 
that the juice might contain an acid of a peculiar nature, and I 
resolved to submit it to a strict examination. I was not at 
that time acquainted with the fact, that these berries had al- 
ready occupied the attention of Scheele, and that this philo- 
sopher had pronounced their acid to be the Malic. 
Some preliminary experiments showed me that the juice 
occasioned a precipitation in acetate of lead and nitrate of silver ; 
but it produced no change in lime water, barytes water, sul- 
phate of copper, nor, although it might be expected from its 
very astringent taste, did it affect sulphate of iron. 
A quantity of the juice was poured into a solution of sugar 
of lead ; a curdy and somewhat heavy precipitate appeared, 
which was separated by filtration : this, from its solubility in 
acetic and dilute nitric acid, I judged to be malate of lead. 
The filtered liquor was red, and perfectly transparent, but 
after a few hours, I observed a powder deposited at the bot- 
tom, and as I saw no sufficient reason for its appearance, it 
