168 OBSERVATIONS ON PODOPHYLLUM PELTATUM. 
Fixed Oil. — Four ounces of the coarsely powered root 
was macerated during 48 hours in alcohol of 35° Baume, 
heated to the boiling point, and then displaced with the 
same menstruum. The tincture thus obtained of a beauti- 
ful colour, resembling dark Madeira wine, was evaporated 
to a nearly dry extract, which weighed 250 grains Troy. 
This extract was treated with cold ether, which yielded on 
evaporation 98 grains of a mixture of fixed oil, and a resi- 
nous substance of a light yellowish olive colour. When 
pressed between bibulous paper most of the oil was ab- 
sorbed, and the resinous substance was left in a dry brittle 
state, breaking with a shining fracture. The fixed oil has 
a greenish yellow colour, and becomes rancid by exposure 
for some time to the air. The resinous substance was dis- 
solved in alcohol and evaporated to an extract, which pos- 
sessed quite a different appearance, than when it contained 
the fixed oil, — having a brown colour, extremely bitter taste, 
soluble in alcohol and ether, and partially soluble in hot oil 
of turpentine. It burns readily, leaving a carbonaceous 
matter, and gives off much smoke. 
Ethereal Treatment. — A portion of the root in powder 
was macerated with a sufficient quantity of ether requisite 
for its exhaustion, the liquid when evaporated yielded an 
oily extract of a yellowish colour with a slightly olive tint; 
this was treated with cold alcohol of 35° Baume, which dis- 
solved the solid portion, leaving the fixed oil in the form of 
globules in the bottom of the solution. This latter was 
separated by decantation, the oil which was collected in a 
watch glass was moderately heated to drive off the adhering 
alcohol. The oil now was of a dull olive colour, about the 
consistence of castor oil, with no taste, but had a slight odour 
which was due to impurities, it was unctuous to the touch, 
left a permanent stain on paper, was soluble in a solution 
of caustic potash, and when precipitated from this solution 
by the addition of muriatic acid, a substance rose to the top 
