252 
IVIE. C. GEEYILLE WILLmiS OX ISOPEEXE AXD CAOrTCHIXE. 
The crystalline substance was in exceedingly minute quantity. It is far jErom impos- 
sible that it may be the radical thymyle fonned from its bydmret cymole by the action 
of the bromine. As it would have the composition C*“II^®=2C^®H^^, the probability is 
that it would be a crystalline solid. This also would account for the low hydrogen and 
the high carbon. 
The exceedingly high boiling-point of the yellow oil is such strong evidence of its 
being a polymeric condition of cymole, that I have provisionally named it paracymole. 
Conversion of the Cymole from Turpentine and Caoutchine into Insolinic Acid. 
Although the experiments detailed left little doubt upon my mind of the identity of 
the cymole from turpentine and caoutchine with that fi’om cumin oil, still the number 
of isomeric bodies continually being discovered is so great, that it is highly desirable to 
make a crucial experiment whenever possible. The exceedingly characteristic proper- 
ties of insolinic acid rendered it peculiarly suitable in the present instance. Dr. Hof- 
mann has shown it to be a product of the oxidation of cuminic acid and cymole under 
the influence of chromic acid. The quantity of cjunole in my possession was so small 
(about two drachms), that there would have been little hope of success had the reaction 
been less deflnite. On cohobating it "with eight parts of sulphiuic acid, eight of bichro- 
mate of potash, and twelve of water, for a few minutes, white flocks became appa- 
rent ; they continually increased until their bulk equalled that of the cjunole employed. 
The crude acid was dissolved in ammonia and, after filtration, precipitated by hydi'o- 
chloric acid. It was washed, first with warm water, then with boiling alcohol, and, 
finally, with ether. Thus purified it was quite colourless. It was then dissolved in 
ammonia, and the solution evaporated until crystals of the acid salt began to form. 
The solution, rendered faintly alkaline by the cautious addition of ammonia, was pre- 
cipitated by nitrate of silver, care being taken to keep it slightly alkaline to prevent the 
separation of any insolinic acid. The salt, after drying at 100° until it ceased to lose 
Aveight, was ignited, during which operation it evolved the peculiar aromatic odom* so 
characteristic of all the insolinates Avhen heated strongly. In this manner I prepai'ed 
three specimens, — a, from turpentine ; b, from caoutchouc ; and c, from gutta percha, 
I, 0’3454 grin, of a gave 0T892 metallic silver. 
II. 0‘2462 grm. of h gave 0To48 metallic silver. 
III. 0*2514 grm. of c gave 0*2540 carbonic acid and 0*0422 water. 
Experiment. 
A 
Mean. 
Calculation. 
t 
I. II. 
A 
III. 
Carbon . 
27*6 
27*6 
C-s 
108 
27*4 
Hydrogen . 
1*9 
1*9 
H« 
6 
1*5 
Oxygen . . 
0^ 
64 
16*3 
Silver 
54*8 
54*8 
54*8 
Ag= 
216 
54*8 
394 
100*0 
