ANALYSIS OF THE GUACO. 
247 
hoi, distilled water, hydrochloric acid and other reagents, af- 
forded hydrochlorate and sulphate of soda, phosphate, carbo- 
nate and sulphate of lime, silica and a little oxide of iron. 
From the above examination, I conclude that the leaves of 
the guaco contain, 1, Fatty matter analogous to wax; 2, chlo- 
rophylline; 3, a peculiar resin (guacine;) 4, extractive and 
astringent matter analogous to tannin; 5, woody fibre. 
Guacine. This is of a light colour, and of a bitter taste, 
no smell, friable, melting at 212°, soluble in all proportions in 
alcohol and ether, dissolved in large proportions by boiling 
water, which deposits it on cooling; scarcely soluble in cold 
water. Concentrated nitric acid dissolves it, the solution 
being of a dark yellow colour; concentrated sulphuric acid 
dissolves it less perfectly; the solution of a dark mahogany 
colour; hydrochloric acid has less action upon it, and changes 
its colour very little; the addition of a small portion of water 
to the two last solutions, causes a precipitation of the guacine; 
this is not the case with the solution in nitric acid. 
Guacine does not appear to have any alkaline reaction. 
The leaves appear to contain most of this resin, and next the 
young stems. The older stalks contain very little, but are 
highly charged with the astringent principle. Thirty -two 
grammes of the leaves afforded me 5 decigrammes of guacine; 
it is probable, that fresh leaves, or those carefully dried, would 
furnish a larger proportion. 
Journ. de Pharm. 
