Turpentine

(tür'pěn-tin.) [From Gr. terebinthos. (Chem.) A transparent resinous substance, procured front different species of the pine and fir. The best sort comes from N. America. The method of obtaining it is by making a series of incisions in the bark of the tree, from which the turpentine exudes, and falls down into receptacles prepared to receive it. English T. is from the Scotch fir; Venice T., which is more thin and aromatic, is derived from the pin us larix; and the common American T. comes from the pin us palustris. The Oil of T., obtained by distillation from the viscid resin, is a volatile spirit of the composition (C20H16); sp. gr. abt. 0.86; boiling-point abt. 338°. It is a colorle mobile liquid, ofa peculiar strong odor, insoluble in water, and much used as a solvent for many gums and resins. [s. 914]