2 
0LE0-RESIN FROM VENEZUELA. 
the internal parts." It imparts a peculiar odor to the perspiration 
and urine, and invigorates the nervous system. The dose is stated 
as from twenty to fifty drops twice a day according to circum- 
stances. 
" Oil of Laurel" has a light amber color, a penetrating persis- 
tent and peculiar odor, and an aromatic, somewhat bitter, and not 
very pungent taste, which perhaps may be* called slightly camphor- 
ous. There is nothing in the taste or smell that reminds one of 
copaiba. Its specific gravity is .898. Distilled carefully per se, 
nearly the whole passes over as a very limpid colorless volatile oil, 
leaving a small quantity of soft, dark-brown, transparent resin in 
the retort. The odor of the oil is different, but analogous to that 
of the oleo-resin itself. When freshly obtained its smell is suffi- 
ciently like that emitted by good socotrine aloes, when breathed 
upon, to call it to mind. Its taste is like that of the native pro- 
duct. This volatile oil is soluble in all proportion in alcohol 
.798, and in ether, and requires but five times its bulk of alcohol 
.838 for solution. It mixes readily with other volatile oils with 
fixed oil, and chloroform, and is soluble in acetone, and pyroxilic 
spirit. It dissolves more than its bulk of camphor with the assistance 
of heat, and becomes a soft crystalline solid by cooling. It dissolves 
resinous bodies with facility, and its ready volatility would render it 
a suitable menstruum for varnishes. A hot concentrated solution of 
caustic potassa has no action on it ; when a globule of bright potas- 
sium is put into a small quantity of the colorless oil, it has no imme- 
diate action on it, but by standing the metal becomes surrounded 
by a dark-brown, transparent, resinous mass, evidently indicating 
the presence of oxygen in the oil. This reaction, together with 
its ready solubility in alcohol .838, will readily distinguish the 
oil from recent oil of copaiba which is unaffected by potassium, 
and is but slightly soluble in alcohol of the sp. gr. indicated. 
Dropped on powdered iodine it detonates slightly ; sulphuric 
acid instantly changes its color to red, and when hot destroys it ; 
and strong nitric acid acts with violence. 
