ON ASA RUM CANADENSE, ETC. 
179 
The object, therefore, of this paper is to demonstrate the dif- 
ference which really exists in their chemical constitution. 
It will be proper to give an outline of the results of the 
analysis by Lassainge and Fenoulle, (Journ de Pharm, vi. 
565) and Graeger (Annal der Pharm. 1830,) which are as 
follows: 
Graeger. 
The Root 
Volatile oil, 
Asarum Camphor, 
Asarite, 
Asarin, 
Tannin, 
Extractive, 
Resin, 
Starch, 
Gluten, &c. 
The Herb. 
Asarin, 
Tannin, 
Extractive, 
Chlorophylle, 
Albumen, 
Citric acid, &c. 
Lassainge and Fenoulle, 
1 A solid volatile oil, 
(asarin) 
2 A very acrid fixed oil, 
3 A yellow matter analo- 
gous to Cytisite,* in 
which the properties 
of the root reside, 
4 Starch, 
5 Mucous, 
6 Ulmin, 
7 Citric acid, 
8 Bicitrate and malate of 
lime, &c. 
The yellow matter of Lassainge and Fenoulle, appears to 
be identical with the Asarin of Graeger. The solid volatile 
oil of the former, which they call asarin, is a mixture of the 
Asarum camphor ; asarite, and volatile oil, of the latter. 
t When asarum root is distilled (according to Graeger) it 
furnishes a milky liquid, having an aromatic smell and acrid 
taste. On the surface of the liquid, yellow drops may be ob- 
served swimming, which are gradually converted into needle- 
shaped crystals, constituting the Asarite. When separated 
from the liquid by a filter, they were dissolved in alcohol and 
precipitated from that solution by water. They now consti- 
tuted a brilliant white mass, floating in the liquid, while a 
yellow milky fluid was deposited, which was composed of 
* Substance Obtained from the Cytissus laburnum, by Chevalliero 
•{Thompson's organic Chemistry. 
