XVII. On the constitution of the resins. Part II

Abstract

The medical and commercial values of the several varieties of gamboge which occur as articles of commerce in the European markets, and their botanical origin, have lately been investigated by Dr. Christison. He found the different varieties to contain respectively The resin of gamboge is soluble in alcohol, and largely in ether; and so far as ex­periments go may be obtained by either solvent free from the foreign substances with which it is mixed in the resin of commerce. Like many of the other resins, acid as well as basic, it retains with considerable obstinacy the last traces of these solvents, and requires the prolonged action of a temperature above that of complete fusion fully to expel them.