phycite

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Phycite \Phy"cite\, n. [Gr. fy^kos seaweed.] (Chem.) See Erythrite, 1. [1913 Webster]

Erythrite \E*ryth"rite\, n. [Gr. 'eryqro`s red.]

1.(Chem.) 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.