08 
Ricimis  Communis. 
J  Am.  Jour.  P 
I    Mar.  1,18 
of  the  plant.  Analysis  of  the  leaves  failed  to  show  the  presence  of 
any  substance  having  the  properties  of  an  alkaloid,  but  proved  that 
they  did  contain  a  proximate  principle,  crystallizing  in  square  prisms 
and  tables. 
This  substance  was  obtained  by  the  following  process  :  The  pow- 
dered leaves  were  exhausted  by  percolation  with  dilute  alcohol,  and 
the  percolate  evaporated  in  a  water-bath  to  expel  the  alcohol  and 
separate  chlorophyll  and  resin  ;  these  were  separated  by  filtering.  The 
filtrate  was  of  a  dark  brown  color.  To  it  was  added  moist  hydrated 
oxide  of  lead,  and  the  mixture  repeatedly  shaken  during  the  day;  by 
this  treatment  the  tannic  acid  present  and  a  large  portion  of  the  col- 
oring matter  was  removed.  The  solution  filtered  from  the  oxide  of 
lead  was  of  a  pale  amber  color ;  this  was  then  evaporated  to  a  syrupy 
consistence.  About  one  ounce  of  extract  was  left,  which  was  ex- 
hausted with  eight  ounces  of  alcohol,  and  the  alcoholic  solution  set 
aside  for  spontaneous  evaporation.*  As  the  alcohol  evaporated,  a, 
crystalline  substance  commenced  to  form,  and  from  the  extract  above 
mentioned,  from  one  pound  avoirdupois  of  the  leaves,  about  60  grains 
of  the  substance  was  obtained  of  a  pale  yellow  color,  which  was  dis- 
solved in  alcohol,  and  the  solution  treated  with  purified  animal  charcoal* 
The  solution  left  to  spontaneous  evaporation  deposited  the  substance 
in  colorless  crystals,  prismatic  and  tabular  in  form. 
The  portion  of  the  extract  insoluble  in  alcohol  was  tested  for  glu- 
cose, but  none  found  present. 
The  crystalline  substance  was  then  submitted  to  the  following  tests  : 
Concent,  sulphuric  acid  :  No  change  cold  or  by  heating  ;  by  heat 
it  dissolved  to  a  colorless  solution,  which,  upon  being  diluted  with 
water,  deposited  it  again  as  a  white  pulverent  mass. 
Nitric  acid  :  No  change. 
Hydrochloric  acid  :  No  change. 
Sulphuric  acid  and  bichromate  of  potassium  :  After  standing  some 
time  a  green  color. 
The  hydrochloric  acid  solution,  upon  the  addition  of  solution  of 
chloride  mercury,  formed  a  white  precipitate. 
Heated  with  potash,  ammonia  was  given  off. 
Heated  upon  platina  foil  it  fuses,  and,  upon  further  heating,  it  ig- 
nites and  burns  with  a  sooty  flame. 
Heated  in  a  glass  tube,  it  fuses,  volatilizes  and  condenses  in  a  crys- 
talline form  in  the  cool  portion  of  the  tube. 
