AmAp°rnr;x879rm*}  Gleanings  from  the  German  Journals.  189 
this  substance  to  the  aromatic  compounds,  and  especially  to  proto- 
catechuic  acid. — Berichte,  xii,  p.  14. 
E.  H.  Letts  has  obtained  two  new  hydrocarbons  from  turpentine  oil. 
On  adding  metallic  sodium  to  fused  turpentine  hydrochlorate  a  violent 
reaction  ensues,  and,  on  distilling  the  product  of  the  action,  there  is 
obtained  a  substance  which,  on  cooling,  solidifies  to  a  white  compound, 
while  at  higher  temperatures  an  oil  comes  over.  The  first  solid  com- 
pound fuses  at  940  and  boils  at  1570  to  1580,  and  has  the  compositions 
O10ffir,  To  this  the  name  of  " Turpenyl"  was  given.  The  second 
compound  boils  at  32 1°,  and  possesses  the  formula  C20H34,  and  is- 
called  "  Diturpenyl. — Eng.  Corresp.  Berichte,  xii,  p.  135. 
H.  Kohler  has  investigated  the  cil  of  the  Gaultheria  punctata  and 
Gaultheria  leucocarpa,  fine  specimens  of  which  were  obtained  from  Dr. 
de  Vrij.  It  was  of  interest  to  know  whether  these  oils  contained 
methyl-saiicylate  as  in  the  case  of  Gaultheria  procumbens,  or  whether 
they  might  not  contain  the  ethyl  salicylate  possibly.  The  oleum  gaul- 
theria punctata;  purified  was  optically  inactive  and  distilled  almost  con- 
stant at  2230,  forming  a  colorless  liquid  of  strong  refracting  power  and 
pleasant  aromatic  odor.  It  was  analyzed  and  was  saponified,  and 
showed  itself  to  be  under  all  these  tests  methyl  salicylate.  Thus,  the- 
amount  of  salicylic  acid  obtained  from  it  corresponded  to  the  methyl 
ether  and  not  to  the  ethyl  ether  ;  the  oxidation  yielded  formic  acid  and 
no  trace  of  aldehyd.  Its  composition  is,  therefore,  essentially  identi- 
cal with  the  oil  of  the  Gaultheria  procumbens. 
The  oleum  gaultheria  leucocarpa  was,  when  rectified,  a  clear,  almost 
colorless  oily  fluid  of  the  same  odor  as  the  preceding  oil.  It  is,  also,, 
optically  inactive,  and  distills  over  at  221 0  to  2230,  and  is  thus  obtained 
perfectly  colorless  and  with  strong  refracting  power.  Elementary 
analysis  and  saponification  both  gave  the  same  result  as  before,  showing 
it  to  be  the  methyl  ether  of  salicylic  acid. — Berichte,  xii,  p.  264. 
GLEANINGS  FROM  THE  GERMAN  JOURNALS. 
By  Louis  von  Cotzhausen,  Ph.G. 
Emplastrum  Plumbi  Simplex. — Jul.   Mueller   recommends  the 
following  formula,  which  he  claims  yields  an  excellent  plaster  with  very 
little  trouble  :    Melt  7,500  grams  lard  with  7,500  grams  olive  oil  in  a 
large  copper-kettle,  and  add  immediately  3  liters  hot  water  ;  then  add 
