Active principles of Sarsaparilla. 
39 
factorily prove that they are one and the same principle in 
somewhat different forms. 
They are all white, scentless and tasteless when in an an- 
hydrous state. They have a very austere and nauseous bit- 
ter taste, when they are dissolved in alcohol or water. They 
have a greater specific gravity than this latter fluid. They 
are insoluble in cold water, but little soluble in boiling water, 
very soluble in boiling alcohol, but less so in this fluid when 
cold. Boiling ether readily dissolves them, as do the volatile 
oils, but the fat oils take up a less quantity. They slightly 
redden turmeric paper ; they have no action on litmus, but 
change syrup of violets to a green. If they are exposed to 
the action of heat in a small glass tube, they first become of 
a yellowish colour, which gradually becomes darker ; then 
are fused, and finally are decomposed, furnishing the usual 
products of a dry distillation of vegetable substances. The 
coal left, is extremely light, and is remarkable for its metallic 
brilliancy. Their aqueous and alcoholic solutions furnish 
much froth on rapidly stirring or shaking them. 
If these substances are mixed with sulphur, they enter into 
fusion with this body when heated, and are decomposed, giv- 
ing rise to a disengagement of sulphurous and hydrosulphuric 
acids ; there is also a formation of sulphuric acid. These 
substances are decomposed by chlorine. Potash aud soda 
dissolve them when aided by heat. Ammonia also dissolves 
them ; hence, in precipitating them by this alkali, it must not 
be used in excess. 
They all crystallize in small radiated prisms when their 
alcoholic solution is carefully evaporated. As generally ob- 
tained, they are pulverulent. 
The substance described by M. Batka is not an acid, as I 
before observed. It is true, it reddens litmus, but this arises 
from the presence of a small quantity of hydrochloric acid. 
It is well known with what tenacity many vegetable sub- 
stances retain this acid. But, if the pretended acid of M. 
Batka be washed with water seven or eight times, it loses all 
its acid properties. Moreover, by dissolving it in sulphuric 
