EXTRACT—NATURAL HIRTORY. 
811 
Bassora Gum. —This gum swells much in water; treated with boiling alcohol 
it yields chlorophylle, a substance resembling wax, acetate of potash, chloride of 
calcium and supermalate of lime. It is composed of 
Arabin.11,20 
Bassorin.61,31 
Water.21,89 
Ashes. 5,60 
100,00 
Bassorin is solid, colourless, semi-transparent, insipid, inodorous, unerystalli 
zable, and difficult to powder. It is insoluble both in hot and cold water, but it 
absorbs it and swells considerably; it is also insoluble in alcohol, and does not 
undergo the vinous fermentation. 100 parts treated with 1000 nitric acid gave 
22,61 of mucic and oxalic acids. When treated with sulphuric acid it gives a 
crystallizable matter, which has a sugary taste, but does not form spirit by fer¬ 
mentation. 
Bassorin is prepared by washing Bassora gum with a large quantity of cold 
water repeatedly, until it ceases to dissolve any thing. The residue is then to be 
allowed to drain, to be dried in cloth, and the water is to be finally separated by 
exposure to a salt-water bath in a silver capsule. 
Bassorin is composed of 
Carbon. 
Oxygen. 
....55,87 
Hydrogen. 
.... 6,85 
100,00 
The soluble part of Bassora gum is similar to Arabin; 100 parts of water at 
68 degrees dissolve 17,28 parts, and at 212 degrees 22,98 parts; 100 parts heated 
with 400 of nitric acid, gave 15,42 mucic acid and oxalic acid. The soluble 
part, or arabin of this gum gave by analysis: 
Carbon. 
Oxygen. 
....50,28 
Hydrogen. 
.... 6,26 
100,00 
It is, therefore evident that it is identical with Arabin. 
The insoluble portion of Bassora gum, consists of Bassorin, mixed with phos¬ 
phate of lime, silica, oxide of iron, and magnesia. 
Gum Tragacanth. —Its sp. gr. is 1,384, when heated to between 125 degrees 
and 145 deg. Fahr. it is more easily powdered than at common temperatures. 
It swells prodigiously when put into water and when boiled in water and 
treated with iodine, starch is shown to be present. It is composed of 
Arabin.53,30 
Bassorin and Starch.33,10 
Water. 11,10 
Ashes. 2,50 
100,00 
Ann. de Chim. at dc Phys. 
