Am'jan.?i894arm'}   Gleanings  from  the  German  Journals.  35 
Quercitrm  and  similar  principles  have  been  investigated  by  U. 
Rudolph,  with  a  view  of  establishing  their  identity  or  points  of 
difference.  The  yellow  coloring  principles  of  the  following  plants 
were  made  according  to  the  directions  of  the  discoverers :  (i) 
Quercitrin  bark  (quercitrin).  (2)  Sophora  japonica  (sophorin).  (3) 
Viola  tricolor  var.  vulgare  (viola-quercitrin).  (4)  ^Esculus  hippo- 
castanium  (aesculus-quercitrin).  (5)  Capparis  spinosa  (capparis- 
quercitrin).  (6)  Thuja  occidentalis  (thujin).  The  composition  of 
these  principles  is  expressed  by  the  following  formula,  showing  that  a 
close  relationship  exists  between  some  of  them:  (1)  C21H20Ou ; 
(4)  C21H22012  or  1,  with  one  molecule  H20  ;  (2),  (3)  and  (5)  have  the 
formula  C27H30O16 ;  (6)  has  an  intermediate  formula  and  differs  also 
in  that  the  decomposition  product  thujetin  yields  reactions  differing 
from  those  obtainable  with  the  decomposition  products  of  the  other 
five  principles.  (i-5)  inclusive,  by  hydrolysis,  give  isomerous  products 
having  the  formula  C15H10O7,  but  which  are  not  considered  identical 
because  of  differences  in  melting  points  and  solubilities.  The  hydro- 
lyses  are  indicated  by  the  two  following  reactions  :  C21H20On  -f-  2H20 
=  QHu06  -f  C15H10O7 ;  C27H30O16  +  3H20  =  C6H14Oe  4-  C6H1206 
-}-  C15H10O7.  The  isodulcite  (C6HM06)  showed  some  differences  in 
crystalline  form  ;  in  (2),  (3),  (5)  and  (6)  the  isodulcite  is  accompanied 
by  a  fermentable  sugar.  Notable  differences  are  apparent  when  the 
amounts  of  sugar  and  isodulcite  (expressed  as  isodulcite)  and  the 
quercetin-like  bodies  (quercetin,  sophoretin  and  thujetin)  obtained 
by  hydrolysis  are  compared. 
1.  2.  3.  4.  5.  6. 
Per  Cent.    Per  Cent.    Per  Cent.    Per  Cent.   Per  Cent.   Per  Cent. 
Isodulcite,  .  .  .  38-99  57-16  55-78  36-83  56-73  38-16 
Quercetin,  etc.,    .   68'68       49*54       51 '86       65*65       49' 61  62-25 
— (Jurjew-Dissertation),  Pharm.  Post,  1893,  529- 
Birch-  and  Fir  tar  show  the  following  properties  according  to  an 
examination  by  E.  Hirschsohn :  Birch  tar  at  200  C.  has  a  specific 
gravity  of  0926-0-945  lor  the  better  grades  and  0953-0987 
for  inferior  grades.  The  aqueous  solution,  obtained  by  agitating 
one  part  tar  with  ten  parts  water,  is  almost  colorless,  has  an  acid 
reaction,  and  is  colored  green  with  ferric  chloride  (1  :  1,000)  ;  5  cc.  of 
the  aqueous  solution  with  2-3  drops  aniline  and  4-6  drops  hydro 
chloric  acid  gives  a  yellow  mixture  ;  if  the  birch  tar  be  adulterated 
with  fir  tar  or  other  kinds  of  tar  a  red  mixture  results.    Birch  tar 
