ON SYMPLOCARPUS F(ETIDUS. 
7 
under the teeth like wax; on being macerated in dilute nitric 
acid it changed to a brown colour. The purple liquor before 
depositing all of this substance, is changed by the addition of 
nitric acid, to a bright red colour; by sulphuric acid, to a tur- 
bid red; and by hydrochloric acid to a straw yellow colour. 
The acid solutions of this substance are precipitated by 
alkalies. 
On adding a fresh portion of aqua ammonia to the coloured 
liquid, and setting aside for twelve hours, a further precipitate 
was obtained, but not in sufficient quantity for experimental 
purposes. On this substance being exposed to heat, it changes 
from black to brown; it is probably some peculiar principle 
of the plant combined with ammonia. 
A portion of the root was placed in a retort, enough water 
added to cover it, and heat gradually applied by means of a 
spirit lamp, till it reached the boiling point; the water, which 
was collected in a globose receiver, was redistilled from fresh 
portions of the root till it came over milky, but no distinct 
particles of oil were observed; the distilled liquor had some 
of the odour, but none of the acrimony of the root. 
Supposing that possibly the acrid properties of the root 
might depend on a gaseous principle, an attempt to obtain 
such gas was made by boiling a portion of the root in a retort, 
the boiling point being raised by chloride of sodium; when 
all the atmospheric air was driven off, the vapour was passed 
through water, and a small portion of gas was obtained, not 
inflammable, but of a disagreeable smell ; also a concrete, olea- 
genous substance came over and collected on the sides of the 
receiver, which was tasteless. 
A quantity of the root after having been macerated in ether 
and alcohol, was subjected to the action of a solution of potas- 
sa, and then to dilute hydrochloric acid, which left a substance 
having the properties of lignin. 
A portion of the root was incinerated, the product lixiviat- 
ed with pure water, the solution filtered; it changed infusion 
of turmeric, brown; this solution was neutralized by nitric 
acid, and on evaporation yielded crystals of nitrate of potash. 
