athamantin

— To the bodies, in the artificial formation of which, in the manner stated, chemists have succeeded, belongs valerianic acid. This acid, which is found ready formed in the root of Valeriana officinalis, and was lately discovered by Winkler* as a constituent of athamantin, a remarkable crystalline body, extracted from the root of Athamantina oreoselinum, was some years ago obtained by Dumas and Stass† as the product of oxidation of the fousel oil (hydrated oxide of amyl), to which it relates in the same manner as acetic acid does to alcohol.