428 DR MACLAGAN ON THE BEBEERU TREE OF BRITISH GUIANA. 



as yet had only one opportunity of testing its purity by determining its combining 

 proportion. The results obtained, so far as this trial goes, are of a satisfactory 

 nature. 



I found, on analysing a portion of its sulphate dried at 240, that its compo- 

 sition per cent, was, Bebeerine 86.30, sulphuric acid 13.61, which, supposing it to 

 contain one atom of each of its constituents, would indicate for its atomic weight 

 254.536, or according to the scale now generally in use on the Continent, 3181.19. 



Again, 0.1995 dry bebeerine absorbed 0.0295 dry muriatic acid gas ; which is 

 equivalent to the following per centage : Bebeerine, 87.56 ; Muriatic acid, 12.44 ; 

 numbers which indicate for its atomic weight, 256.506 or 3203.47. These two 

 results are sufficiently approximative to entitle us to suppose that the difference 

 may depend merely on errors of "manipulation. 



The combination of bebeerine with dry muriatic acid gas takes place rapidly 

 and without fusion. The salt so formed is very soluble in water, forming a clear 

 yellow solution, on evaporating which, it is obtained in the form of transparent 

 yellow scales. The sulphate of bebeerine is equally soluble in water ; it has a 

 bright yellow colour and glistening aspect like the muriate ; both are intensely 

 and durably bitter, with a slight feeling of astringency on the tongue. I have 

 likewise prepared an acetate of bebeerine, of the same general appearance, and, 

 like the others, uncrystallizable.* 



The action of nitric acid on bebeerine is peculiar. My attention was accident- 

 ally directed to this, when, in the course of many attempts to purify my alkali, I 

 on one occasion essayed to apply to this purpose M. COUERBE'S process for veratria, 

 where nitric acid is the agent employed to precipitate a peculiar resinous matter. 

 (Ann. de Chimie et de Physique, torn. 52.) I found on adding nitric acid to a cold 

 dilute solution of bebeerine in sulphuric acid, that the greater part of the alkali 

 was precipitated in an altered state. Still more is it altered when it is boiled with 

 nitric acid a little diluted with water. In this case it undergoes complete con- 

 version, with evolution of nitrous acid fumes, into a yellow pulverulent substance, 

 readily dissolved by hot but sparingly by cold water, and having, so far as I have 

 examined it, a great resemblance in many of its properties to carbazotic acid. 



Sipeerine. This alkaline matter, which is insoluble in ether, I have obtained 

 in quantities too small to enable me to do more than briefly describe its general 

 properties. 



When its solution in alcohol is evaporated, it is obtained in the form of a 

 translucent dark reddish-brown resinous-looking matter, in thin glittering scales, 



* To procure these salts of the translucent shining aspect, their solution should be evaporated in 

 thin layers in a smooth porcelain basin. The thin layer of fluid dries up into a transparent yellow pel- 

 licle, which is easily detached from the basin. It splinters, however, in every direction, and thus assumes 

 the form of brilliant scales, which give it, when in this condition, a pseudo-crystalline appearance. In 

 mass, the salts are opaque and dull yellow. 



