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Show BENJAMIN OR BENZOIN TREE. AA] the East Indies, in large masses, composed of white and light brown pieces, with yellowish specks, breaking very easily betwixt the hands; that which is whitest, and freest from impurities, is most esteemed. MEDICAL l SE. In its properties it differs from storax only in containing a larger proportion of benzoic acid, Neumann found that it was totally soluble in alcohol, forming a blood-red tincture, and that water extracted no gummy matter, but a notable proportion of benzoic acid. By sublimation he got two ounces of impure acid fromsixteen of benzoin. Lime and the alkaline carbonatesdissolve the acid without attacking the resin, and are accordingly employedin the processes of Scheele, Gottling, and Gren, for obtaining the benzoic acid. I find that the solution of potass dissolves benzoin very rapidly, forming a dark-coloured solution, mixed with fine crystals of benzoat of potass. BENJAMIN or BENZOIN TREE. STYRAX BENZOIN. PREPARATIONS. Benzoic Acip. Class X. Decandria, Order 1. Monogynia. Essent. GEN. CuAr. Same as the last. Spec. Cusr. Leaves oblong, acuminate, beneath tomentose: compound, lengthof the leaves. (Acidum Benzoicum. E.) Take of benzoin, twenty-four ounces ; Racemes carbonate of soda, eight ounces ; water, sixteen pounds: Triturate the benzoin with the carbonate, then boil in the water a for half an hour, with constant agitation, and strain. DESCRIPTION, Tus tree grows to a great height. This alkaline so- lution is not decomposed by water, but forms with acids a rosecoloured coagulum, easily soiuble in excess of acid. Boiling nitrous acid also attacks benzoin with great violence, and dissolves it entirely ; the solution becomes turbid, and Jets fall a copious precipitate on cooling, which, according to Mr. Brandé, is benzoic acid. It is decomposed bywater, and byalkaline solutions, The leaves are oblong, entire, veined, tapering to a sharp point; the upper surface smooth, beneath downy, standing alternately upon short footstalks. The flowers are placed on common peduncles arising from theaxilla of each leaf. The corollais bell-shaped, andthe border cut into five segments, but closed, which gives the appearance of buds. these decoctions, and evaporate until two pounds remain. This species of storax grows in Sumatra, and, like the former, also furnishes a balsam on being wounded, which is brought from Mix Filter anew, and dropinto the fluid, as long as it produces anyprecipitation, diluted sulphuric acid. Dissolve the precipitated benzoic acid in boiling water, strain the boiling solution through linen, and set it aside to crystallize. Wash the crystals with cold water, dry and preserve them. Acip or Benzoin. HISTORY. Repeat the decoction, with other six pounds of water, and strain. (Acidum Benzoes. D.) Take of benzoin, any quantity; Liquefyit in a retort with a wide throat, having a receiver fitted |