ON THE MAGNOLIA GHANDIFLORA. 
95 
ing no residue. The vapor given off by heating it resembles 
that obtained by the brown matter, before mentioned, by a 
similar process. A portion of the fresh bark distilled some' 
months ago, yielded a much larger proportion of vola- 
tile oil. 
Two ounces of the bruised bark were macerated in four 
ounces of sulphuric ether (56° Baume) for two weeks, and 
the ethereal tincture suffered to evaporate spontaneously, when 
numerous tufts of acicular crystals were obtained, having 
similar properties to those obtained by the other process. As- 
sociated with them was a greenish substance, apparently con- 
sisting of resin, greasy matter and chlorophyl, the last proba- 
bly due to the lichens growing on the surface of the bark. 
From the foregoing observations it may be inferred that 
among the principal constituents of the bark of the Magno- 
lia grandi flora, may be enumerated green resin, volatile oil, 
(upon which its remedial virtues probably depend,) and a 
peculiar cry stalliz able principle analagous to liriodendrin. 
To these may be added an acid, the character of which has 
not been ascertained j and which produces a green precipi- 
tate with the sesqui-salts of iron, having some analogy to tan- 
nic acid, but not precipitating gelatin 5 salts of lime and iron, 
and finally lignin. 
It remains, in conclusion, to speculate on the character of 
some of the above mentioned principles, and compare them 
with liriodendrin. Professor Emmet says, " The alcoholic so- 
lutions of both varieties of liriodendrin, possess anintensely 
bitter taste, and always leave an impression of heat upon the 
tongue." The alcoholic solution of the uncrystallized princi- 
ple of the Magnolia grandi flora is bitter and pungent, but not 
so much so as that of liriodendrin is described to be. The 
crystalline principle appears to b,e very analogous to that of 
the Liriodendron. They both fuse at 180°, volatilize at about 
270° Fahr., and both leave a brittle, transparent resin, when 
subjected to a higher temperature, and crystallize in prisms, 
although the shape of those of liriodendrin was not determin- 
