180 ON ASARUM CANADENSE, ETC . 
volatile oil and asarum camphor; the latter was obtained by 
evaporating the oil. 
Asariteis in small silky needles,sp. grav. 0.95 at 158° Fahr. 
It melts into an oily liquid, and a further heat volatilizes it in 
white vapor, which is very irritating. 
Asarum camphor, is distinguished from asarite by its 
vapor being much less irritating, and by being precipitated 
from its alcoholic solution by water, in cubes or six-sided 
prisms. It melts by heat, and boils at 536°. 
Oil of Asarum. This oil has a yellow color, glutinous 
consistence, is lighter than water^ has a sharp burning taste, 
and a smell of valerian. 
By reference to Graeger's analysis, it will be perceived that 
neither volatile oil, asarite, or asarum camphor exists in the 
leaves of asarabacca, and as they are less active than the root, 
it will be proper to attribute the superior activity of the latter 
to the presence of those ingredients. 
The asarin of Graeger, appears to be an acrid resinous 
matter. 
Having now given an outline of what is known respecting 
the chemical constituents of the European asarum, it will be 
proper to detail a few experiments, which have been princi- 
pally made, to ascertain what analogy there exists between 
their volatile ingredients. 3 
Four ounces of the root of the Asarum Canadense, recent- 
ly dried, was finely bruised, and introduced with eight times 
its weight of water, into a glass retort, where it was allowed 
to macerate for twenty four hours. Heat was then applied, 
and continued until three-eighths of the liquid had distilled. 
The product consisted of a slightly milky fluid, having nu- 
merous large globules of volatile oils floating on its surface. 
The receiver was allowed to remain with these fluids in it, 
undisturbed, for forty eight hours, the air having free access; 
but not the slightest evidence was apparent of any disposition 
to crystallize, nor was there a trace of crystalline matter in 
the neck of the retort. 
