- A colorless crystalline substance, C4H6.(OH)4, of a
sweet, cooling taste, extracted from certain lichens, and obtained by
the decomposition of erythrin; -- called also erythrol, erythroglucin,
erythromannite, pseudorcin, cobalt bloom, and under the name phycite
obtained from the alga Protococcus vulgaris. It is a tetrabasic
alcohol, corresponding to glycol and glycerin. - A rose-red mineral, crystallized and earthy, a hydrous
arseniate of cobalt, known also as cobalt bloom; -- called also
erythrin or erythrine.