4 
ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. 
duced a copious precipitate, showing the presence of gum or 
mucilage. 
To a filtered decoction of the fresh root, a small portion of 
solution of oxalate of ammonia was added, which instantly 
produced a dense precipitate; oxalate of soda produced analo- 
gous effects, showing the presence of lime in a free state, or 
perhaps as an acetate. The dried root being subjected to the 
same process, afforded no precipitates, owing, it is supposed, 
to the lime assuming the form of a carbonate in the drying of 
the root, and thus becoming insoluble in water. 
A portion of the root, on being boiled in water acidulated 
with nitric acid, gave, on the addition of ferrocyanate of pot- 
ash, a deep blue precipitate; in the simple decoction no pre- 
cipitate was observed; thus proving the existence of iron in 
the form of protoxide. Infusion of galls produced no effect, 
showing that it must exist in very small proportion. 
On the addition of water to the alcoholic tincture, a white 
flocculent precipitate was caused, indicating the presence of 
resin. 
The alcoholic tincture, made by macerating gj. of the root 
in gvj. alcohol of 35° Baume for two weeks, was of a reddish, 
yellow colour, foetid smell, and of a sweetish, nauseous, allia- 
ceous taste, which was much more perceptible when diluted 
with water; it also slightly coloured litmus red. 
The alcoholic extract, obtained by the spontaneous evapo- 
ration of the tincture, was of a brown colour, and a sweet, 
rather acrid taste. 
To this extract, water was added, which took up all but a 
small portion of a tasteless resin and a fixed oil; this aqueous 
solution when evaporated by means of a water bath to the con- 
sistence of an extract, was of a light brown colour, and sweet 
and bitter taste, like that of peach kernels. 
The etherial tincture, made by the action of ^ij. sulphuric 
ether on §ss. of the root for two weeks, when filtered, was of 
a bright, golden yellow colour, and reddened litmus paper. 
Set aside this tincture for spontaneous evaporation; the result 
was, an extract of a dark brown colour and narcotic smell, 
