48 
ME. W. DE LA ELE A2\D M. H. MULLEE OX 
body had deposited iii smaller crystals on the faces of the supposed pure substance. 
This new body proved to be much less soluble in different vehicles than our acetate of 
sycoceryl, but being present only in a very small quantity, its separation caused us at 
first very great perplexity, but finally we found the folloudng method perfectly efficacious 
for that purpose. 
The dry crystals were placed in a flask, and a quantity of ether insufficient to dissolve 
the whole substance Avas introduced, the temperature being maintained at about 30° C. 
(86° Fahe.) ; more ether was cautiously added from time to time until the larger crystals 
had just disappeared, leaving the smaller ones of the new substance undissolved. The 
separation of the two substances is not, hoAvever, perfect in a single operation ; for when 
the flask is allowed to cool, a small part of this parasitical body deposits. After distilling 
the filtered etheric solution, the acetate of sycoceryl is obtained in a perfect state of 
purity ; and by recrystallization from alcohol, ether or chloroform, it may be procured in 
beautiful crystals. 
Acetate of sycoceryl so obtained is perfectly colourless, and crystallizes from ether 
in flat prisms, which generally appear as six-sided plates. When crystallized from 
alcohol the crystals are thin and scaly like mica, and have the greatest resemblance to 
cholesterin. 
Acetate of sycoceryl is brittle, yet difficult to powder, on account of its becoming so 
very electric when triturated. It melts at 118° — 120° C. (244°'4 — 248° Fahe,), and is 
still fluid when cooled down to 80° C. (176° Fahe.). It solidifies at first to a transparent 
mass, Avhich, however, after a short time becomes opake and crystalline, especially if 
scratched Avith a hard body. Heated considerably aboA'e its melting-pomt, it boils and 
distils, almost Avithout decomposition. The distillate is at first liquid, but solidifies 
after some time, and becomes gradually crystalline. When not perfectly pure, or if the 
heat is applied too rapidly, it gives out a rancid odour, in which that of acetic acid is 
recognizable. Hot alcohol, ether, chloroform, benzol, acetone, oil of turpentme, and 
concentrated acetic acid dissolve the acetate of sycoceryl Avith great facility. The 
alcoholic solution is perfectly neutral, and gives no precipitate Avith alcoholic solutions 
of the acetates of lead or copper. 
Sulphuric acid dissolves it readily, forming a Adscid colourless solution, which gets 
gradually broAvn, and then gives off traces of sulphurous and acetic acids. When the 
sulphuric solution is mixed Avith Avater, a substance is throAAm down AAffiich is perfectly 
hard at common temperatures, but melts beloAV 100° C. (212° Fahe.), and is A'ery diffi- 
cultly soluble in alcohol, but readily so in chloroform and benzol. 
Nitric acid Avhen diluted has no effect, at ordinary temperatures, on acetate of syco- 
ceryl ; but if warm, it evolves nitrous fumes, and produces a yelloAV resinous compound. 
Fuming nitrous acid, howeA-er, dissoh’es it readily at ordinary temperatui-es, gmiig a 
yelloAV solution from Avhich Avater throAvs doAvn a flocculeiit amorphous yelloAV nitro- 
compound. 
Muriatic acid has no effect on acetate of sycoceryl. 
Chlorine, bromine, and ioduie in contact AAdth this substance act upon it AAdth Aiolence, 
