APPENDIX. 
RANUNCULACEA, 
On the Crystalline Alkaloid of Aconitum Napellus.* 
Messrs, Wyndham R. Dunstan and W.H., Ince, Ph.D., have 
ia the properties of a crystalline alkaloid shteined fs the 
t of Aconitum Napellus by extraction with amy] alcohol, as oS 
eesied by the late Mr. John Williams (Pharm, Journ. (3), x 
238). For a supply of the material they are indebted to the Si lalags 
of Messrs. Howards & Sons, of Stratford. 
The yellowish indistinct crystals melted at 188°4° (corr.), and by 
crystallization from alcoholic solution were proved to be associated 
with a small quantity of a gummy amorphous base. On combus- 
tion the original substance gave numbers agreeing fairly well with 
the formula C*°H**NO**, which is that proposed for aconitine by 
Wright and Luff (Journ, Chem. Soc,, 1879), The alkaloid was puri- 
fied by repeated crystallization from a mixture of alcohol and ether, 
or more readily by conversion into its hydrobromide and regenera- 
tion of the alkaloid from this salt or by regeneration from its crys- 
talline aurochloride, It crystallizes in tabular prisms belongiag to 
the rhombic system; the crystallography of the substance has 
formed the subject of a separate inquiry by Mr. Tutton, The 
crystals are very slightly soluble in water and light petroleum, more 
soluble in ether and alcohol, most soluble in benzene and chloro- 
form. They melt at 188°5° (corr.). Contrary to the statements of 
previous observers, who found aconitine to be levo-rotatory, the 
authors found an alcoholic solution to be destro-rotatory [a]yp+ 
10°78°; the aqueous solution of the hydrobromide however, 
levo-rotatory [alp—30°47°. On analysis, the alkaloid 
orded results which agreed best with the formula Ono, 
stalline aurochlorides were obtained. One (C**H*°NO*™ 
HANCM, Sabha at 135°5° (corr.) ; the other, a basic aurochloride 
(C*°H*NO™AuCl*), melts at 129° (corr.). These compounds are 
obtained without difficulty, and afford trustworthy means of 
* The substance of a communication made to the Chemical Society, March 
19, 1891. 
