ON DICTAMNUS ALBUS. 
107 
The peculiar nauseating odor was abundantly given out by 
exposure to heat, which, after several hours, caused a 
flocculent matter to be deposited, apparently vegetable albumen. 
Decomposition ensued after 36 hours. 
D. Experiment No. 1. — Some of the bruised bark was 
placed in a retort with water enough to cover it, and heat ap- 
plied; a colorless liquid was distilled over, having the pecu- 
liar nauseous odor of the substance in a high degree, but a 
less sensible taste. No appearance of essential oil. 
E. Experiment No. 1. — A small portion of the bark in 
powder was digested in alcohol for several days, and then de- 
canted. It was of a light straw color and limpid. Water ren- 
dered it slightly lactescent, indicating resin, though in small 
quantity. 
2. This tincture was submitted to the action of heat, and by 
evaporation furnished a light brown extract imparting at first 
a sweetish but afterwards an acrid taste. It was found to be very 
soluble in alcohol, sparingly so in ether, and for the most part 
soluble in water. 
F. Experiment No. 1. — A similar portion of the powder 
was digested in ether for several days, then decanted, and 
allowed to evaporate spontaneously. There remained upon 
the sides of the capsule a minute portion of colorless oil, 
which left a permanent greasy stain upon paper, but it was 
in too small a quantity to be isolated; washed from the capsule 
by alcohol, it was found to possess a very pungent taste. There 
remained in the capsule a small quantity of resin and extractive 
matter. 
G. Experiment No. 1. — The residua of the alcoholic and 
etherial tinctures were further digested in boiling water, alco- 
hol, and weak muriatic acid, successively, to take up the princi- 
ples soluble in these menstrua. The remaining insoluble 
ligneous matter was decomposed by concentrated sulphuric 
acid, which, diluted with water, left an insoluble carbonaceous 
powder. With pure nitric acid, it was converted into a species 
of gum. 
Nothing remains for me but to recapitulate the principles 
