THE EESIH OE EICHS ETJBIGINOSA. 
61 
spherical masses, like the mineral Wavellite; they are very thin, and have a great 
resemblance to caffeine. 
In several instances during the earlier stages of its purification, or when dilute alcohol 
is employed for its solution, it was noticed that the substance did not deposit in crystals, 
but the transparent liquid congealed to a jelly. This jelly, however, after some time 
became crystalline, the crystallization commencing in several points of the mass, and 
extending gradually throughout the whole; ultimately a crystallization was obtained 
of the same appearance as occurs under other circumstances. 
In the determination of the rational formula of this substance, we took cognizance of 
the fact, that, besides acetic acid, it was the only other product obtained in the decom- 
position of the original compound which we have denominated acetate of sycoceryl, and 
the analysis of which led to the empuical formula C 20 Hie Oj. 
From the nature of this compound, we inferred that it contained the radical of acetic 
acid in a similar state as acetic ether does ; that in fact we had to deal with a compound 
containing acetic acid minus one atom of hydrogen and a radical. According to this 
view the empirical formula C^o Hie O 2 'would have to be doubled, whereby we obtain 
C40 H32 O4 ; 
and if we norv deduct the elements 
of acetic acid minus hydrogen . 
we have Cgg H 2 g 
for the radical of our new alcohol, whose formula would consequently be Cgg H 30 O 2 . 
The analysis of the supposed alcohol obtained from acetate of sycoceryl gave the fol- 
lowing results : — 
I. OT 6 78 grin, of preparation A gave 0-5103 grm. carbonic acid, and 0-1747 grin, 
water. 
H. 0-2547 grm. of preparation B gave 0-7644 grm. carbonic acid, and 0-2568 grin, 
water. 
These numbers correspond to the following per-centages : — 
Analysis. 
Mean. 
Vv 
h 
I. 
II. 
^36 
= 216 
82-44 
82-94 
81-85 
82-39 
H3„ 
= 30 
11-45 
11-57 
11-20 
11-38 
O 3 
= 16 
6-11 
262 
100-00 
According to this formula our new alcohol would be homologous with benzylic alcohol 
obtained from “oil of bitter almonds.” 
Alcohol of sycocei-}! is perfectly insoluble in water, the fixed alkalies, and ammonia ; 
but alcohol, especially when warm, also ether, benzol, chloroform, and naphtha, are good 
solvents for it. 
At a temperature of about 90° C. (194 °Fahe.), sycocerylic alcohol melts to a liquid 
heavier than water, and solidifies on cooling to a crystalline mass, especially if any 
}=cn,o. 
