NOTE ON CHERRY LAUREL WATER. 
229 
vided into parts, and each part was placed in three ounce 
(100 grammes) vials. 
Vial No. 1 had 1 drop of pure sulphuric acid added to it. 
u 3 :^ 
(( 4 a i( c( u (6 
" 5 had no addition ; kept in a dark place. 
" 6 " " vial not full : kept in a dark 
place. 
" 7 " " kept in the shop. ♦ 
" 8 " " vial not full, and kept in the 
shop. 
The water after the distillation contained .00105 percent, 
of hydrocyanic acid, (30 grammes, contained .0316 grammes.} 
Eleven months after its preparation, 
Water in No. 1 contained .00106* per cent.of Prussic acid . 
" "2 " .00106 " 
« " 3 " .00106 " 
(c ' (c 4 (( -00106 " 
« " 5 " .00066 " " 
« 6 " .00083 " *f 
« a 7 u .00090 " " 
« «^ 8 " .00090 " 
The facts contained in this note give the right to infer 
that it is necessary to cut and bruise the cherry laurel leaves 
before subjecting them to distillation ; 
That the proportion of hydrocyanic acid contained in this 
water diminishes with age; 
That we can tell that this water has been properly pre- 
pared, when it contains .00066 per cent, after being kept 
eleven months ; 
*These results make it appear that the water to which the acid has 
been added, contained more hydrocyanic than the original distilled 
water. This discrepancy is due to the manner of conducting the 
analysis, the last fiUers being adjusted by a filter weighed and tared 
similar to the one used in ascertaining the per centage of acid in the 
distilled water. 
