94 
ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. 
solved but a small portion of it; the solution, freed from inso- 
luble matter, was treated with lime and sulphuric acid, as be- 
fore, then with carbonate of soda, and alcohol; the substance 
obtained was precisely similar to that from No. 1. 
3d. The precipitate No. 2, was treated with boiling alcohol, 
which dissolved a yellow substance analogous to wax, leaving 
a black insoluble substance, which burned without flame, leav- 
ing a small, white residue. 
4th. The precipitate No. 3, being insoluble in either cold 
or hot alcohol, or ether, was dissolved in boiling water. The 
solution reddens litmus, forms a brownish precipitate with 
solution of sulphate of iron, but not with gelatine. A portion 
of it, treated with lime and dilute sulphuric acid, becomes ge- 
latinous as soon as a slight excess of acid was added. Neither 
the solution or precipitate retaining any acridity. 
5th. Another portion of the third precipitate, dissolved in 
water, was boiled with magnesia, filtered, and on adding dilute 
sulphuric acid, became gelatinous; but was redissolved by ad- 
ding a slight excess of magnesia, then filtered to separate the 
magnesia, and evaporated to dryness. The dry mass, boiled 
in strong alcohol, the solution filtered, had the taste and sen- 
sible properties of senega, precipitating as it cooled, a white 
substance, leaving the liquid green; this, when evaporated, 
left a greenish white residue, insoluble in ether, soluble in 
alcohol and water, which developes more strongly the acridity 
of the substance. The solution being neither acid nor alka- 
line, was slowly evaporated to dryness, leaving the substance 
unchanged. The precipitate also tasted slightly acrid, but 
was so small I could not separate it from the filter. 
The active principle, in the impure state in which I have 
obtained it, appears to be neither acid nor alkaline, is soluble 
in water and alcohol; insoluble in ether; is not precipitated by 
alkalies or their carbonates; precipitated by subacetate of lead 
and sulphuric acid; forming with the latter a gelatinous mass, 
insoluble in alcohol or water. 
