BARK OF FOUQUIERIA SPLENDENS 125 
A table of the specific gravity of the different kinds of waxes, 
prepared by Dietrich, 1 shows the density of animal wax to be 
notably low, compared with vegetable waxes. Allen 2 states 
that the presence of vegetable wax in adulterations of bees¬ 
wax is positively established if the density of the sample ex¬ 
ceed .970. 
By the method followed out in this analysis, petroleum 
spirit extracted from the powdered bark a substance of con¬ 
stant melting-point, which is identified as a wax. It resem¬ 
bles, in its ethereal solution not clouding on addition of alco¬ 
hol, Bahia wax; in melting-point and specific gravity, car- 
naüba wax; also the latter wax by its insolubility in water 
and action with nitric acid. It differs from carnaliba wax in 
its greater degree of solubility in absolute alcohol, ether, 
and aqueous alkalies. Linseed oil is an active solvent for it, 
but does not dissolve carnaiiba wax. The color reactions of 
the petroleum spirit residue with sulphuric acid have been 
described above. It is stated that sulphuric acid produces no 
effect with carnaiiba wax. 3 
The wax obtained from the bark of Fouquieria splendens 
differs generally in its properties from known vegetable waxes, 
and is evidently a new wax peculiar to this plant. I propose 
that it be called ocotilla wax. 
In the ether, absolute alcohol, and water extracts, the pre¬ 
sence of an acid resin, a white crystalline substance, gum resin, 
glucose, possibly glucosides, gum, and a red coloring matter 
were indicated. 
The investigations described in the preceding pages were 
conducted in the chemical laboratory of the Philadelphia 
College of Pharmacy, August and September, 1884. 
1 E. Dietrich, “Specific Gravity of Wax.” Journal of Chemical Society, 
1882, vol. xlii, p. 1139. 
2 A. H. Allen, Commercial Organic Analysis. (Also see in same work tables 
of sp. gr., Waxes.) 
3 A. B. Prescott, Outlines of Proximate Organic Analysis. 
