OIL OF WILD CHERRY BARK. 
299 
this analogy is correct, may be seen in the sequel; and I have 
no doubt, that time will prove that all those vegetable products 
of distillation in the form of oils, which hold hydrocyanic acid 
in solution, are alike constituted. 
The oil obtained from the hark of the Prunus Virginiana, 
seems to pervade the whole plant, and to be particularly 
abundant in the kernels of the fruit; but owing to its associ- 
ation with a fixed oil, it is more difficult to isolate. 
The first notice of this oil will be found in an inaugural 
dissertation on the Prunus Virginiana, by Stephen Procter, 
(see Jour, Phila, Col. Pharm., vol. vi.,) the object of which 
appears to have been to demonstrate the presence of hydro- 
cyanic acid. 
Experiment 1. — One pound of recent wild cherry bark 
was submitted to distillation in a glass retort, with sufficient 
water to prevent empyreuma, and the operation continued 
until the odour of the oil ceased to be perceptible in the 
product. It had a milky appearance and smelt strongly of 
hydrocyanic acid, which, in connection with oil, it held in 
solution. This was returned with another pound of the bark 
into the retort, and again distilled; which process was repeated 
until six pounds of the bark were consumed, being careful to 
remove the oil from the bottom of the water in the receiver, 
each time, previous to its being decanted. This liquor was 
found upon examination to be strongly charged with hydro- 
cyanic acid. 
The oil, as obtained above, has a light straw colour, which 
becomes deeper by age, a powerful odour, resembling that of 
bitter almonds, and a very pungent taste. It is inflammable, 
and has a density of 1.061. It is slightly soluble in water, 
to which it communicates odour and taste, very soluble in 
alcohol and ether, and its alcoholic solution is rendered lactes- 
cent on the addition of water. 
Its effects on the animal economy are strikingly powerful, 
having all the characteristics of the oil of bitter almonds. 
One drop of it was put upon the tongue of a cat, which pro- 
