248 
Myrtus  ChekeM 
f  Am.  J  our.  Pharm. 
1      May,  1883. 
5.  Hydro-alcoholic  Estimation. — The  residue  of  stems  left  after  the 
preceding  estimation  was  then  exhausted  with  diluted  alcohol,  yielding 
a  percolate  of  1*89  liters.  An  aliquot  portion  when  reduced  to  extrac- 
tive consistence  showed  the  weight  of  the  dissolved  portion  to  be  19*44 
gms.,  or  5*2  per  cent. 
To  a  portion  of  the  percolate  a  solution  of  basic  acetate  of  lead  was 
added,  the  precipitate  of  tannate  of  lead  collected  on  a  filter,  and  fil- 
trate (a)  set  aside.  The  precipitate  was  washed,  suspended  in  water, 
decomposed  by  a  stream  of  hydrogen  sulphide,  and  filtered  ;  the  amount 
of  tannin  present  was  found  to  be  small.  The  filtrate  (a)  from  the  first 
precipitated  solution  was  decomposed  by  hydrogen  sulphide,  heated, 
and  filtered ;  the  solution  being  acid  in  reaction  and  failing  to  crystal- 
lize on  concentration,  it  was  neutralized  with  a  solution  of  potassium 
carbonate,  and  on  evaporation  yielded  white  crystals,  of  a  sharp  taste, 
and  inodorous. 
6.  Aqueous  Estimation. — 100  gms.  of  stems  yielded  4*08  per  cent, 
of  extract.  To  31*1  gms.  of  the  coarsely  ground  stems  450  cc.  of 
water  was  added  and  boiled  slowly  down  to  240  cc,  this  decoction  was 
perfectly  cloudless,  without  coagulation,  and  not  gelatinous  on  cooling. 
A  portion  of  the  decoction,  reduced  by  evaporation  to  one-fourth  of 
its  bulk,  when  mixed  with  alcohol,  gave  a  brown  glutinous  precipitate 
of  gum  and  coloring  matter ;  the  remainder  was  tested  with  iodine 
solution,  hydrochloric  and  nitric  acids,  and  remained  unchanged. 
ANALYSIS  OF  LEAVES. 
1.  Estimation  of  Moisture. — 5  gms.  of  leaves  were  placed  in  a  dry- 
ing chamber,  kept  at  110° C,  until  they  ceased  to  lose  moisture;  net 
result  4*5  grms.,  showing  actual  loss  by  volatilization  of  0*50  gms.,  or 
10  per  cent. 
2.  Estimation  of  Ash. — In  a  porcelain  crucible  were  placed  1*25 
gms.  of  leaves,  and  a  gentle  heat,  gradually  increased,  was  applied  until 
incineration  was  effected.  The  ash  amounted  to  0.105  gm.  =  8.4  per 
cent.  Chemical  analysis  showed  the  constituents  to  be  potassium, 
magnesium,  calcium  and  aluminiuui  in  the  form  of  chlorides,  phos- 
phates, sulphates,  and  carbonates,  and  silica. 
3.  Estimation  of  Volatile  Principles. — 124*42  gms.  of  leaves  were 
placed  in  a  glass  vessel,  macerated  for  twenty-four  hours  in  water, 
then  distilled,  giving  a  distillate  of  354*8  cc.  This  distillate  was  neutral, 
possessing  an  aromatic,  and  camphoraceous  odor  similar  to  oil  of  Euca- 
lyptus, and  contained  a  layer  of  light  yellow  volatile  oil,  amounting  to 
