92 
ON THE MAGNOLIA GRANDIFLORA. 
opinion that water enters into its composition. He obtained 
it by treating the coarsely powdered bark with successive 
portions of boiling alcohol, (of 89 per cent.,) evaporating the 
tincture thus obtained to one-third, and treating the soft re- 
sin-like matter which separates, with a weak solution of pot- 
assa. By this treatment the impure liriodendrin is deprived 
of most of its coloring matter, and by repeated washing the 
liquor will finally pass off colorless. It now has a drab color 
and the consistence of putty. To obtain it in crystals, all that 
is necessary is to dissolve this putty-like mass in alcohol; add 
water very gradually until the alcoholic solution begins to 
appear opalescent; then set it aside to evaporate spontaneous- 
ly, and crystallization will readily take place. 
It has been conceived necessary to preface the experiments 
on Magnolia grandi flora with the above observations on a 
plant allied to it from belonging to the same natural order. 
The sequel will show that a crystalline principle, very similar 
to liriodendrin in many of its properties, exists in this species 
of Magnolia; and independent of its abstract interest as a new 
addition to our stock of chemical knowledge, it confirms the 
true natural alliance which exists between these two nobles of 
our forests. 
It will be proper to go into a full detail of the experiments 
which have been made, and conclude by comparing the re- 
sults with those of Professor Emmet. 
A decoction of the bark of the M.grandi 'flora is precipitat- 
ed yellowish-white by subacetate of lead, brown by nitrate of 
silver, dirty-white by bichloride of mercury, brown by lime- 
water, and light-brown by baryta water. Persulphate and 
perchloride of iron turn the color of the decoction instantly 
to a dark green, and, after standing many hours, a precipi- 
tate forms which has a dark greenish olive hue. Iodine 
causes no change. 
The decoction has an acid reaction with litmus, though not 
very decided. When added to a solution of gelatin, no per- 
ceptible change takes place at first; but after standing, a slight 
precipitate occurs, but whether owing to a precipitation of 
