1 30  Scheme  for  the  Recognition  of       { *\}™rJ7trm- 
is  transformed  first  into  dextrin  and  afterwards  into  sugar,  but  never 
into  pectin. 
Giraud's  observations,  it  will  be  seen,  contradict  Mohl's  views, 
according  to  which  the  cellulose  of  the  Astragali  is  transformed  into 
tragacanth. 
The  author  has  found  tragacanth  to  have  the  following  average  com- 
position :  20  water,  60  pectinous  principle,  8  to  10  soluble  gum,  3  cel- 
lulose, 2  to  3  starch,  3  per  cent,  of  mineral  constituents  and  traces  of 
•nitrogenated  matter. 
SCHEME  for  the  RECOGNITION  of  the  more  Important 
RESINS,  GUM  RESINS  and  BALSAMS.1 
By  Edward  Hirschsohn. 
In  continuation  of  the  author's  researches  on  ammoniacum,  galbanum,  sagapenum 
and  opoponax,  previously  published,  he  has  made  a  comparative  examination  of  a 
large  number  of  the  more  important  resins,  gum  resins  and  balsams.  The  results 
have  been  published  in  an  inaugural  dissertation  written  upon  attaining  the  grade 
of  "  magister  der  pharmacie."  This  thesis  contains  a  table  for  the  recognition  of 
these  substances  by  their  behavior  towards  reagents.  The  following  are  the 
reagents  used  : 
1.  Sulphuric  acid,  sp.  gr.  1820. 
2.  Alcoholic  hydrochloric  acid,  obtained  by  saturating  95  per  cent,  alcohol  with 
■dry  hydrochloric  acid  gas. 
3.  Bromine  solution,  1  part  of  bromine  in  20  parts  of  chloroform. 
4.  Saturated  solution  of  chloride  of  lime  in  distilled  water  at  the  ordinary  tempe- 
rature. 
5.  Alcoholic  solution  of  perchloride  of  iron,  1  part  in  10  parts  of  95  per  cent, 
alcohol. 
6.  Saturated  solution  of  neutral  lead  acetate  in  95  per  cent,  alcohol. 
7.  Solution  of  ammonia,  sp.  gr.  980. 
S.  Solution  of  pure  sodium  carbonate  crystals  in  distilled  water. 
9.  Frohde's  test  :  1  centigram  of  sodium  molybdate  in  1  cc.  sulphuric  acid. 
10.  Impure  chloral  hydrate,  containing  alcoholate. 
j  1.  Saturated  solution  of  iodine  in  petroleum  spirit  boiling  at  6o°C. 
COMPLETELY  SOLUBLE  IN  CHLOROFORM. 
COMPLETELY  soluble  in  ether. 
Ethereal  solution  becomes  turbid  after  addition  of  alcohol. 
I.  Alcoholic  solution  gives  with  perchloride  of  iron  a  turbidity  that  disappears  on 
boiling.    Chloral  reagent  colors  violet — Canada  Balsam. 
II.  Alcoholic  solution  gives  no  turbidity  with  perchloride  of  iron. 
1.  The  drug  is  liquid  and  forms  a  clear  mixture  with  petroleum  spirit  boiling 
below  400  C. 
a.  Bromine  solution  colors  the  chloroform  solution  yellowish,  then  violet  and 
blue — Maranha  Copaiba  Balsam. 
l w  Pharmaceutische  Zeitschrift  fur  Russland,"  xvi,  81. 
