1 883. 63 Trans. N. Y. Ac. Set. 



and are identical in their physical and chemical properties with the or- 

 iginal bodies. 



By careful sublimation of xylidinacrolein, an oil is obtained which has 

 an unpleasant smell and very bitter taste. It forms crystalline salts 

 with sulphuric, hydrochloric and other acids. That with hydrochloric 

 acid, after repeated purification by crystallization, was decomposed with 

 caustic potash. The oil thus obtained was distilled at 270°, and yielded 

 an oil of reddish color, unpleasant smell, and having the composition 

 of cryptidine, CuHnN. 



This is the first successful attempt to isolate this member of the 

 pyridine series, only its salts having been obtained before, and it is of 

 further interest as being accomplished by a process of synthesis. 



This synthesis moreover throws light on the composition of these 

 pyridine bases ; since the mode of formation renders it probable that 

 cryptidine contains one benzol ring, united with a side ring formed 

 from the pre-existent members of the acrolein derivative of the fatty 

 bodies. 



The various oils derived from castor-oil were then described, and the 

 different views of the constitution of these compounds. 



Finally, the compounds of acrolein and urea were discussed, and 

 the various statements put forth by HUGO SCHIFF concerning^ 

 them. 



DISCUSSION. 



Mr. A. H. Elliott pointed out the apparent identity in odor of 

 cryptodine with a substance found in bone-oil, which he had 

 obtained in considerable quantity in the oil derived from the 

 destructive distillation of bones. This oil was nearly colorless, 

 yielded the same odor as the one exhibited, had a specific gravity 

 0.835, ^^*^ aftbrded, with hydrochloric and sulphuric acids, red 

 salts which turned jet black in the air, though both their color and 

 this change might have been due to some other substance present. 



The subject was further discusser! l)y Profs. Martin and Leeds. 



January 15, 1S83. 

 Lecture Evexing. 



The President, Dr. J. S. Newberry, in the Chair, 



The large hall was filled by an audience who listened with inter- 



