An impure tannic acid may be obtained from myrobalans (a dried astringent fruit resembling a prune) by grinding them and extracting in a boiler containing hot water; the liquid may be strained and evaporated to dryness yielding a dry extract which is suitable for dyeing or tanning purposes. A concentrated fluid extract is often made by partial evaporation. To obtain a pure tannic acid, it would be necessary to treat the myrobalans in the same way as nutgalls, i.e. extract by percolating a mixture of alcohol and ether through the powder. The percolate will separate into two layers; the lower one is a watery layer containing the tannin, the upper layer contains the alcohol and ether, with colouring matter, etc. The alcohol and ether can be recovered largely by distillation; the watery layer is evaporated to dryness, and yields the pure acid.