ON A NEW KIND OF COPAIVA BALSAM. 261 
analysis; he is therefore -of opinion that there exists a dis- 
tinct kind of copaiva balsam, which has the greatest resem- 
blance to the ordinary kind; but differs considerably from it 
in its characters. It is more liquid, and of a lighter yellow 
color, has the peculiar disagreeable odor of the ordinary 
balsam, and also the lasting taste. Its specific gravity is 
0.94. Mixed in any proportion with solution of potash or 
ammonia, it remains turbid, and never forms with it a 
soapy mixture, but after a time again separates from those 
liquids. It does not dissolve perfectly in alcohol, but forms 
a milky liquid. It contains 82 per cent, of oil and 18 per 
cent, of resin, which latter is partly soluble and partly inso- 
luble. The oil in the pure state is a 
Hydrocarbon, C 10 H 8 which the author calls paracopaiva 
oil. It is obtained by distilling this copaiva balsam with 
water. After a second distillation with water, the hydro- 
carbon forms a colourless thick oil, of a strong pure odor of 
copaiva and an acrid burning taste; spec, grav., 0.91; 
boiling point, 485°. This, however, quickly and uninter- 
ruptedly rises, the boiling oil being decomposed. It be- 
comes yellowish, then brown, thick and tenacious, until it 
is finally decomposed entirely with separation of carbon. 
It mixes in every proportion with aether, requires a rather 
large quantity of absolute alcohol for solution, and dissolves 
with great difficulty in spirit of 0.863 spec. grav. Dry mu- 
riatic gas combines with it, forming a brown liquid with a 
reddish tint, which when saturated fumes in the air. No 
crystalline compound could be separated from it. This 
paracopaiva oil differs therefore from the ordinary oil by 
its thickness, its behaviour towards alcohol, muriatic acid 
gas, and its boiling point. 
Nitric acid of 1.32 spec. grav. has no action upon the oil 
at the ordinary temperature ; but on the application of heat 
it is converted, with a violent reaction, into a resinous sub- 
stance. It dissolves entirely in dilute nitric acid in some 
days, when nitrous acid, carbonic acid, and some peculiar 
