306 
OBSERVATIONS ON SASSY BARK. 
quite peculiar. A smooth transverse section (e) exhibits numerous 
round, fawn-colored spots, surrounded by a reddish-brown cellular 
tissue. These spots are sections of cylindrical bodies, varying 
from one-half to two lines long, compact, brittle and very 
dense, sinking rapidly in water, and are most numerous in the 
oldest bark and near the inner surface. The spec. grav. of the 
bark in mass, according to Santos, is 1.054. Sassy bark has a 
slight not very marked odor, and an astringent taste, without bit- 
terness. This astringency, which is due to tannic acid, resides 
exclusively in the reddish colored portion, a fact easily shown by 
applying with a camel's hair brush, a dilute solution of sesqui- 
chloride of iron, to a transverse section. The fawn-colored spots 
will remain intact while the surrounding tissue is dyed deep black. 
Sassy bark breaks with an abrupt fracture, and is readily disinteg- 
rated. The dust, when inhaled by the nose in the act of powdering, 
causes long continued spasms of sneezing, occupied with distress 
about the forehead and eyes. 
Chemical 'Examination of Sassy Bark. — It is stated in the 
works of systematic botanists that the secretion of tannin and gum 
is a marked feature of that portion of the Leguminosae included in 
the sub-order Mimoseas, of which the Acacias may be quoted as 
an example. The intermediate sub-order Caesalpinese is also 
largely characterized by species abounding in tannin, of which 
the HaBmatoxylon may be instanced. The sassy bark tree is 
largely tanniniferous, and the bark might be used for tanning pur- 
poses in its native country. Gum does not exist largely in the 
bark, but, as has been said, is found in and around the seed ; and 
as it is probable that the gum-bearing character of the Acacias 
may be due more to disease, or to an interruption of the normal 
condition of the circulation of the trees by punctures or incisions, 
than to an overflow or superabundance of that principle ; the com- 
parative absence of gum from sassy bark is no reason why it should 
not rank in that sub-order. 
A thousand grains of the bark, in powder, moistened with water 3 
was put into a glass percolator, and half a pint of strong infusion 
obtained by pouring water slowly on the bark. This was set 
aside, and the additions of water continued during two days, until 
the fluid passed tasteless and colorless. The residue dried at the 
temperature 90° — 100° F., weighed 840 grain. s 
The clear infusion had a dark red color, and was not coagulated 
