334 
ON JUNIPERUS VIRGINIANA. 
of a saturated solution of carbonate of soda it was converted 
into a soapy substance, and changed to brown. A saturated 
solution of carbonate of potassa acted upon it in a similar 
manner. Aqua ammonia caused a brown color, but no appre- 
ciable change in the consistence. 
9. One thousand grains of the leaves were incinerated in a 
crucible exposed to the atmosphere; but twenty-five grains 
of ashes were obtained, which were of a light gray color, 
possessing an alkaline taste ; these were lixiviated with four 
ounces of water, with occasional agitation, for two days, at a 
temperature of about seventy-five degrees. The ley was then 
filtered ; it had a sweetish alkaline taste, and a feint odor, pe- 
culiar to ordinary ley; it changed turmeric paper brown, but 
produced no acid reaction upon litmus. A solution of chlo- 
ride of platinum was added to a portion; the liquid instantly 
assumed a bright yellow color, but remained transparent two 
weeks afterwards. Tartaric acid in solution was then added 
to another portion, and the liquid stirred with a glass rod, 
but no precipitate took place upon standing. Nitric acid was 
then added to a third portion, until the liquid was neutral- 
ized, and the solution evaporated to dryness; a white salt 
was obtained, which was deliquescent. It did not deflagrate 
to any extent when thrown upon fire, or exhibit any of the 
properties of nitrate of potassa;* but when dissolved in water 
* Subsequent experiments have satisfactorily proved the existence of 
potassa, though in a very minute proportion. Upon evaporating the yel- 
low colored liquid, formed by the addition of chloride of platinum, to dry- 
ness?, a, yellowish Salt was obtained, which, when dissolved in a small 
quantity of cold water, was deposited in the form of small brilliant yel- 
low crystals, the chloride of platinum and potassium. 
But a more satisfactory result was obtained by treating the ley with an 
alcoholic solution of carbazotic acid. A few grains of carbazotic acid 
were dissolved in about half a dram of alcohol, and the solution added to 
half an ounce of the ley. Upon standing twelve hours, a number of bright 
yellow crystals of carbazotate of potassa, of an acicular form, were found 
at the bottom of the vessel, diverging in every direction. They were 
near a quarter of an inch in length, about the thickness of a hair, and 
ended in a very delicate point. When heated to redness in a platinum 
capsule they detonated, and gave off beautiful brilliant scintillations. 
