216 
VOLATILE OIL OP GAULTHERIA PROCUMBENS. 
of either the potassa or soda salts of oil of gaultheria, a 
bluish gray precipitate is produced; but when the solution 
is boiled for some time and then tested, no precipitate en" 
sues on the addition of the ferruginous salt, but a deep red 
transparent solution results. Ity boiling a hot solution of the 
baryta salt the same decomposition occurs. When an acid 
is added to either of the boiled solutions, a white crystalline 
precipitate is obtained, without a trace of the oil of gaul- 
theria. This crystalline matter, when heated in a close ves- 
sel, sublimes without residue, and condenses in four-sided 
prisms, with obliquely truncated summits. When dissolved 
in hot water its solution yields the fine purple color with 
protosulphate of iron, so characteristic of the acid obtained 
by acting on oil of gaultheria with an excess of potassa and 
heat, as shown in the sequel, which has all the characters of 
saliculic acid. 
Oil of Gaultheria and Oxide of Lead.— -When an excess 
of this oil is agitated for some time with hydrated oxide of 
lead suspended in water, combination takes place. By sub- 
sequently washing with alcohol, the compound is obtained 
free from adhering oil. It may also be obtained by adding 
acetate of lead to a solution of the potassa salt of oil of gaul- 
theria. It is a light white powder. When mixed with wa- 
ter and an acid is added, the oil separates, and floats on the 
surface of the liquid in minute globules. 
Oil of Gaultheria and Oxide of Copper. — When hydrated 
oxide of copper is agitated with an aqueous solution of oil of 
gaultheria, the mixture, from a blue, is changed to a grass 
green color, and the odor of the oil ceases to be perceptible. 
An excess of oil should be present to combine with all the 
oxide, and the precipitate washed with alcohol and dried. 
This compound has the form of a light green powder. When 
heated it is decomposed, and if suspended in water, the con- 
tact of an acid causes the oil to separate. 
