BY J. M. PETRIE. 141 



for seven hours. The alkaUne distillate was shaken out with 

 ether, and this ethereal Uquid, after separating and drying, was 

 distilled at a low temperature to dryness. This residue was 

 dissolved in water and titrated^ when it required 23 ccs. of centi- 

 normal acid to neutralise. The fluid Avas then acidified and 

 shaken out with ether, w hen about 1 1 mgs, of an oily substance 

 were separated. On making faintly alkaline with ammonia and 

 agitating wath chloroform, a substance was removed which was 

 afterwards obtained as a viscous residue. This weighed about 

 55 mgs., which is equivalent to 8 mgs. per hour. It gave pre- 

 cipitates with all the alkaloidal reagents, and also the character- 

 istic Vitali's reaction for the atropine group; while a solution in 

 normal saline 1 in 1 000, widely dilated the eye of a dog in about 

 20 minutes. 



It is apparent from these results that a minute quantity of 

 the atropine alkaloids has distilled over, as has already been 

 proved by the author to take place with other plants containing 

 alkaloids of this group (Part iv. of this series). 



(3.) Extraction of the Alkaloids: — The air-dried leaves con- 

 taining 9 "7 per cent, of water were ground to a fine powder, and 

 extracted with cold methylated spirit. At weekly intervals, the 

 latter was removed until only traces of alkaloid were dissolved. 

 The voluminous alcoholic extracts, obtained by draining and 

 pressing the material, were distilled under reduced pressure, and 

 below 60°C., when there remained a dark-coloured viscous residue. 

 This was removed by washing with successive small quantities of 

 warm water slightly acidulated, and filtered. For the removal 

 of colouring matter and resins, this dark brown fluid was next 

 treated with lead acetate. The lead precipitate was carefully 

 washed free from alkaloid, and the aqueous fluid and washings 

 freed from lead. The solution, now only slightly coloured, was « 

 concentrated at 60°C. to a small volume. Wagner's iodine 

 reagent was then used to precipitate the alkaloids. This iodine 

 precipitate was decomposed by sulphurous acid, and the solution 

 w^as shaken out with ether. This solvent removed a considerable 

 amount of impurity. The aqueous solution was next made 



