ENNOMOS  SUBSIGNARIA,  OR  THE  MEASURING  WORM.  307 
It  is  extremely  soluble  in  glycerin,  to  which  it  imparts  a  rich 
amber  color,  and  forming  a  perfectly  transparent  solution.  It 
possesses  a  powerful  foetid  odor,  also  a  burning  taste. 
Diluted  alcohol  will  not  preserve  them. 
It  is  partially  soluble  in  alcohol,  to  which  it  imparts  a  rich 
green  color,  a  nauseous  taste,  and  a  characteristic  odor. 
It  is  slightly  soluble  in  ether,  imparting  a  perfectly  clear 
amber  color,  but  to  which  it  yields  no  taste. 
It  is  slightly  soluble  in  chloroform,  with  which  it  forms  a 
clear  yellow  solution,  also  tasteless.  It  is  also  sparingly  soluble 
in  fixed  oils. 
The  epidermis  is  wholly  insoluble  in  any  of  the  above  menstrua. 
Chemical  Properties. — The  JUnnomos  subsignaria  contains 
many  interesting  principles,  but,  being  restricted  to  a  very  small 
amount  of  matter,  my  experiments  have  been  very  limited  at 
present.  Thus  far  I  have  found  it  to  contain,  1,  a  crystalline 
principle  ;  2,  a  volatile  oil ;  3,  a  fixed  oil ;  4,  a  green  coloring 
matter ;  and  5,  a  black  coloring  matter.  There  are  also  slight 
traces  of  tannic  acid. 
The  crystalline  principle  is  obtainable  from  the  powdered 
worm.  Having  packed  some  in  a  glass  funnel,  percolate  chloro- 
form through  it  until  the  solution  is  colorless.  Then  set  it  aside 
to  crystallize.  One  hundred  grains  of  the  powder  yields  about 
two  grains  of  the  crystalline  matter.  This,  when  obtained,  is  of 
a  white  color,  both  inodorous  and  tasteless  ;  it  is  soluble  in  water, 
alcohol,  ether  and  chloroform.  To  this  crystalline  matter  I 
would  give  the  name  of  subsignarin,  as  it  is  a  neutral  principle ; 
its  solution  yields  a  light  precipitate  with  tannic  acid,  acetate  of 
lead,  and  bi-carbonate  of  potassa,  turning  cloudy  on  the  addition 
of  ammonia  ;  no  alteration  perceptible  upon  the  addition  of  iodo- 
hydrargyrate  of  potassium,  nor  with  solutions  of  bichloride  of 
platinum,  sulphate  of  copper,  or  sulphate  of  zinc.  There  appears 
to  be  no  change  on  the  addition  of  nitric,  hydrochloric  or  acetic 
acids ;  sulphuric  acid  forms  a  cloudy  solution. 
The  volatile  oil  is  obtained  in  the  process  of  extracting  the 
subsignarin ;  it  is  retained  in  solution  by  the  chloroform,  and  is 
left  as  a  residue  after  crystallization  has  been  effected.  It  leaves 
a  greasy  stain  upon  paper,  which  may  be  removed  on  the  addi- 
