ON EUONYMUS ATROPURPUREUS ET AMERICANUS. 83 
a height of more than twelve feet. I have, however, been 
informed that in Kentucky its height sometimes exceeds 
twenty feet. 
It has been stated that the bark derived from the root is 
more highly charged with medicinal properties, except 
when the plant is in full vegetation, when that from the 
twigs is more efficient. < 
The bark of the trunk and branches has alone been ex- 
amined by the writer. Tliis is in pieces from four to ten 
inches in length, a half to two lines in thickness, partly 
or perfectly quilled, and covered with an ash-coloured 
epidermis, which is corrugated in some instances, sometimes 
quite smooth, and in other specimens having a verrucose 
structure. Internally it is usually white, but not unfre- 
quently has a yellow hue. 
The fracture is splintery, and on account of its ligneous 
fibrous nature, it does not readily yield to the action of the 
pestle. 
Chemical Exarnination, 
Various experiments were pursued with this bark with 
a view of isolating any active principle present therein, and 
the following one only accompanied with satisfactory indi- 
cations. A strong decoction was prepared, the gum, co- 
louring principle, &c., precipitated by subacetate of lead, 
and the excess of lead removed by hydrosulphuric acid. 
The clear liquor possessed the bitter taste of the bark. It 
had an acid reaction, which, it is presumed, arose from 
acetic acid resulting from the decomposition of the acetate 
of lead. A solution of tannic acid produced a precipitate. 
Placed in a capsule on a sand bath, and evaporated, a 
brownish adhesive substance, soluble in ether, alcohol and 
water, remained. The taste of the latter is bitter at first, 
afterwards acrid and persistent. 
Other experiments induce the impression that future re- 
searches may produce successful results. 
