364 
Note  on  Hyraceum. 
{Am.  Tour.  Pharm. 
July,  1879. 
constitutes  the  greater  portion  of  the  organic  material  soluble  in  water. 
It  was  hard,  horny  and  of  a  resinous  character,  transparent,  and  of  a 
bright-brown  tint.  It  probably  consists  of  several  substances,  but  we 
were  unable  to  obtain  a  sufficient  quantity  for  separation,  and  an  ulti- 
mate organic  analysis.  It  gives  out  a  fecal  odor,  and  seems  to  be 
-derived  from  fecal  matter. 
The  analysis,  the  details  of  which  are  subjoined,  shows  that  the  sub- 
stance is  a  mixture  of  various  salts  and  organic  matter,  the  latter  con- 
stituting about  one-half,  and  containing  traces  of  urea,  together  with 
uric,  hippuric  and  benzoic  acids.  We  also  obtained  from  the  material 
a  small  quantity  of  a  substance  having  a  sweet  taste,  and  which  is  pro- 
bably giycocol(?)  derived  from  the  breaking  up  of  hippuric  into  benzoic 
acid  and  this  substance. 
Hyraceum  is  undoubtedly  derived  from  the  urine  of  some  animal, 
but  the  large  amount  of  lime  (6  per  cent.)  in  proportion  to  the  other 
salts,  and  the  character  of  the  organic  matter  contained,  indicates  that 
it  also  contains  fecal  matter. 
Analysis  of  Hyraceum. — Water,  by  dessication,  7  per  cent. 
A  microscopical  examination  revealed  nothing  of  importance. 
Woody  fibers,  particles  of  sand  and  a  general  granular  appearance 
were  found. 
Dried  Material 
Ash,         .                          .             .             .             ...  34/15 
Organic  substances  soluble  in  water,               .               .               .  37'44 
Organic  substances  soluble  in  water,  alcohol,  ether  and  chloroform,  J454 
Woody  fibre  and  insoluble  organic  substances;  residue,               .  1387 
IOO'OO 
Ash. 
Soluble  in  water,      .  .  .  .  .  19  20 
Insoluble  in  water,  .  .  .  .  .1495 
Potassa,     .......  2-95 
Soda,                ......  8-95 
Lime,       .              .              .              .              .              .   -  6-oo 
Magnesia,         .              .              .              .              .              .  2  10 
Iron,                       .              .              .              .                            .  *i2 
Sand,                .           .   .              .              .              .              .  200 
Sulphuric  acid,         ......  -6o 
Carbonic  acid,  ......  3-64 
Phosphoric  acid,      .              .              .              .              .              .  -97 
Chlorine,          .                            .              .              .            ■  .  6-45 
Traces  of  nitric  acid,  and  loss,              ....  -37 
— Proc.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.,  Jan.  28,  p.  12. 
