( 54 )
alkalies does more than remove acid substances, of which, by the way, there are -
but faint traces. It removes, in a state of fine division which makes the
liquour opaque and pale green, a substance that, on being neutralised and eva
porated down, is obtainable as a dark green resinous material which is physio
logically active like the brown cann abin on. Neither of them were found excitant
when administered to cats, though both were powerfully narcotic. Both are
soluble in alcohol, ether and chloroform and, it may be added, in methylic alcohol
and in petroleum ether
A paper by BRUHL 1 also published in 1887, both because of its value and
because of its having been ignored by European chemists, requires to be noticed.
Like Hay's paper it is unfortunately only a preliminary and a qu al it at iv e
one, also like Hay's it has unfortunately not yet been supplemented by its author.
The gánjá examined was divided into three portions : one was macerated
about seven hours with dilute acetic acid (2 per cent. glacial acid); the other
two were digested twice with very dilute sulphuric acid at 40°—50°C. about
three hours each time ; the brown liquid was filtered after pressing out the
gánjá. To one of these two portions four times its volume of absolute alcohol
was added : the other was concentrated by heating for some hours at 50°C., at
the same time aspirating with dry air; after concentration this also was treated
with four times its own volume of absolute alcohol. On adding the alcohol the
liquid became turbid and a sediment formed. After standing for 36 hours the
liquid was cooled by a freezing mixture and filtered.
Benzene extracts from_ the acid solutions left a yellow, oily, strongly-
smelling residue when evaporated ; gently heated the oily liquid lost its dis
agreeable smell and was at the same time converted into a soft resinous substance;
it consisted therefore of a mixture of the essential oil and the resin ofgánjá.
The acid chloroform extracts yielded some long, slender, colourless, micros
copical crystals, but in too small a quantity to admit of identification; they
did not re-act as an alkaloid. On adding ammonia to the acid solution after
agitating once more with benzene, a slight precipitate was formed which was
seen under the mis cro sco pe to consist of stellate groups of badly developed
crystals, not re-acting like alkaloids. Neither the benzene, the chloroform nor
the amyli c alcohol and final chloroform extracts from alkaline solutions left any
residue that might be mistaken for an alkaloid. Bri ihl therefore is prepared to
confirm the results of Masig.
The resin was treated for some time with boiling dilute sulphuric acid,
and the resulting liquid tested for glucose. No glucose having been found, the
resin is evidently not a glucoside.
The action of strong acids was tested as well as that of nascent hydrogen ;
the former act powerfully ; sulphuric acid dissolves, a mixture of sulphuric
and nitric decomposes it. Nitric acid oxidises it ; nascent hydrogen does not
act on it.
The resin is acted on by chlorine, a chlor o -deriv ative being produced which
has decidedly acid properties, forming with most metals amorphous compounds
insoluble in water but soluble in alcohol; bromine forms a corresponding bromo
derivative.
In 1891 H. F. SMITH 2 by two different processes obtained an alkaloid
from Indian hemp, which separated from ethereal solutions as a yellowish-
green, transparent, varnish-like substance. It had a strong peculiar conine
like odour, was soluble in ether, chloroform, alcohol and acidulated water, only
slightly soluble in water, was alkaline to test paper, and neutralised acids.
Dissolved in very dilute sulphuric acid it gave a clear yellow solution and
responded to most of the re-agents for alkaloids.
In the seeds of hemp there is a fixed oil ; both European and Indian seeds
yield about 25 per cent. At first this is greenish, but ultimately it becomes
yellow. Its specific gravity is 9276. In boiling alcohol it dissolves readily ;
in cold alcohol only 30 per cent. dissolves. It is useful in soap-making and
to mix pai nt s ; is not us efu l for lam ps , as it for ms a var ni sh whi ch clo gs th e
wick. LEFORT 3 states its formula to be C 11 H22 0 2 and gives C 11 H 20 Cl 2 O2
and
C11
1 Proceedings, Asiatic Society ofBengal, November 1877, p. 225.
American
2 Journal ofPharmacy, August 189 1.
3 Chem. Rem, vol. 35, p. 734, quoted in Watt's Dictionary of Chemistry.
4H20 Br2 O2 as chlorine and bromide derivatives.