The solution was intensely bitter, of a brownish yellow colour, and was not in the least disturbed by alcohol, although a solution of Iodine produced a blue colour; the solution therefore contained no gum, and only slight traces of starch.
C.
The solution, after standing twenty-four hours, yielded a pellicle of insoluble matter, which when burnt appeared to resemble Gluten.
D.
The six grains which were insoluble in water, were treated for forty-eight hours with alcohol of the specific gravity ·817, at 66° of Fahrenheit; a green solution was obtained, but by slow evaporation only half a grain of solid green matter was procured. The insoluble residue obstinately adhered to, and coated the filtre like a varnish, and completely defended the mass from the action of the alcohol; it is probable that it consisted principally of Starch.
Experiments. Series 2d.
E.
Ten grains of Elaterium, from the same sample, were treated with alcohol of the specific gravity ·817, at 66° Fahrenheit, for twenty-four hours; upon being filtered, and the residuum washed with successive portions of alcohol, the Elaterium was found to have lost 1·6 of a grain. The high specific gravity of the alcohol in this experiment was important; had it been lower, different results would have been produced.
F.
The alcoholic solution obtained in the last experiment, was of a most brilliant and beautiful green colour, resembling that of the oil of cajeput, but brighter; upon slowly evaporating it, 1·2 grains of solid green matter were obtained.