GLEANINGS  FROM  GERMAN  JOURNALS. 
31 
GLEANINGS  FROM  GERMAN  JOURNALS. 
By  J.  M.  Maisch. 
Gummi-resina  myrrhoe. — Dr.  E.  G.  Bruckner  has  subjected 
myrrh  to  an  analysis,  from  which  we  report  the  following  re- 
sults : 
Constituents  soluble  in  water,  67*7500 
Resin  insoluble  in  ether,  4*8106 
<<     soluble  "  12*5682 
"  "  in  bisulphide  of  carbon,  14*0606 
Matter  soluble  in  alcohol  and  water,  0*4318 
Insoluble  (sand,  bark,  &c),  0*3788 
100*0000 
The  matter  soluble  in  water  consists  of  51*11  mucilage,  pre- 
cipitable  by  acetate  of  lead,  and  16*64  arabin. 
The  tincture  of  myrrh  has  a  slight  acid  reaction.  If  the  pre- 
cipitate by  acetate  of  lead  is  decomposed  by  IIS,  a  minute 
quantity  of  an  acid  is  obtained,  which  is  soluble  in  water  and 
precipitated  by  lime  water ;  the  sulphide  of  lead  retains  a  red- 
colored  resin.  The  nitrate  from  the  above  lead  precipitate  con- 
tains a  compound  of  lead  with  resin,  which  is  soluble  in  alcohol. 
The  portion  of  resin  soluble  in  bisulphide  of  carbon  has  the 
consistence  of  honey,  and  is  inclined  to  crystallize  ;  it  contains 
75*62  C,  9*54  H,  14*840. 
The  resin,  which  is  insoluble  in  bisulphide  of  carbon,  but 
soluble  in  ether,  dissolves  also  in  chloroform,  separating  a  little 
fat-like  matter.  In  the  dry  state  it  resembles  rosin  in  appear- 
ance, and  contains  57*485  C,  6*616  II,  and  35*899  O. 
The  oil  of  myrrh  was  not  obtained  in  sufficient  quantity  to 
ascertain  its  composition. 
The  author  also  compares  his  results  with  those  obtained  by 
Ruickholdt,  which  differ  from  his. — Ruchners  N.  Repert.  1867, 
76-87. 
Solubility  of  silicic  acid  in  ammonia.  Richard  Pribram  has 
investigated  this  behavior  and  found  that  Si03  is  taken  up  by 
ammonia  in  the  following  proportions :  natural  anhydrous  re- 
quires 6000,  artificial  anhydrous  260,  hydrated  dried  330,  gela- 
tinous 140  parts  liquor  ammonise  of  10  per  cent.  Exposed  to  the 
air  NH3  evaporates,  and  finally  a  clear  solution  of  NII40,  4Si03 
