162 ON THE FRUIT OF DlOSPYROS VIRGINIANA. 
experiments clearly prove that both lead and gelatin 
combine with the whole of it, and with all, should there be 
more than one. Upon evaporating the liquid after precipi- 
tation with gelatin, a saccharine mass was left, which was 
not crystallized by evaporation in a drying room; this sugar 
was treated with sulphuric acid, which dissolved the whole 
of it. Some of the persimmons were boiled in water and 
tested for starch, but without effect. Alcohol had no effect 
on the aqueous infusion of persimmon. The residue from 
the infusion had all the characters of lignin. 
(2.) A quantity of green persimmons gathered in Septem- 
ber, were digested in alcohol, till all the matter soluble in 
that menstruum was taken up. The residue was boiled in 
water for some minutes, and tested for starch, but without 
effect ; the tincture was very astringent, and exhibited all 
the properties noticed in the aqueous infusion ; it was not 
clouded by the addition of water. This tincture was sub- 
mitted to spontaneous evaporation; after standing for some 
days it was converted into a thick jelly, which was slightly 
astringent, but very sweet • it was evaporated to dryness, 
when it entirely lost its astringency. This substance was 
boiled in alcohol, which dissolved a part of it; this being 
evaporated, proved to be the saccharine mass spoken of 
above. A solution of sulphate of iron turned a solution of 
this sugar slightly purple, and sub-acetate of lead threw 
down a slight precipitate. The remaining solid resembled 
resin in its appearance ; it was insoluble in boiling water 
and alcohol, and but very slightly soluble in boiling spirits 
of turpentine. A portion of this substance was submitted 
to the action of heat in a test tube ; it did not blaze, but 
burned away evolving much smoke, and with a disagree- 
able smell like the burning of vegetable oils ; 13 grs. of car- 
bon were left after burning 60 grs. of this substance. The 
residue left when the tincture was filtered was boiled in 
water, and the water evaporated ; after standing a day, 
crystals were formed on the sides of the dish. A solution of 
