ON CHLOROFORM AS A SOLVENT. 
147 
terposed between the crystals; substances which in all cases 
are indispensible to the developement of the plant." 
We have here a fresh example of the immense power of dis- 
tinction possessed by microscopic vegetation when multiplied to 
such an extent. 
The action of these most insignificant beings, sometimes less 
easy of detection than in the present instance, might become, 
under some natural circumstance, a real misfortune to the culti- 
vator. — Comptes Rendus. 
ON CHLOROFORM AS A SOLVENT. 
M. Lepage, of Gisors, France, in a paper published in the 
" Journal de Chemie Medicate for August, 1851, has studied the 
solvent powers of chloroform in relation to a variety of bodies. 
1. Resinous substances. Mastic, colophony, elemi, tolu, and 
benzoin, are very soluble in chloroform in .all proportions, form- 
ing solutions, some of which might prove useful as varnishes. 
Copal and caoutchouc also dissolve, but more readily hot than 
cold. Amber, sanderac and shellac, are only partially dissolved, 
either with or without heat. Their constituent resins may be 
thus separated. Olibanum dissolves but slightly, hot or cold. 
Guaiac and scammony resin dissolves readily, whilst jalap resin 
is insoluble; it merely softens and floats on the surface like pitch. 
Gamboge and dragon's blood yield some substance and their fine 
color to the solvent, and might be advantageously used as var- 
nishes. 
2. Fixed oils and fats. The oils of olives, poppy seed, almonds, 
castor beans, codlivers, rapeseed, neats foot, euphorbia lathyrus, 
croton tiglium, lard, tallow, palm nuts, cocoanuts, spermaceti, 
and probably all the fixed fats, dissolve readily, and in all propor- 
tions in chloroform. Wax, according to Vogel, yields 25 per 
cent, of soluble matter to this solvent, a statement corroborated 
by M. Lepage. 
3. Volatile oils. These are all soluble in chloroform. 
4. Simple non metallic bodies. Iodine, bromine, phosphorus, 
and sulphur are soluble, the two last only slightly. 
t 
