20 



less in weak alcohol, insoluble in sti'ong alcohol. Most of its salts 

 dissolve in water. 



Aspei'ula Tannic Acirt=Ci4 Hs Os . In the herb of As- 

 pernla odorata and Galium Mollugo*. Precipitate the aqueous 

 extract with acetate of lead, treat the precipitate with acetic acid, 

 filter, precipitate the filtrate with ammonia, wash the precipitate, 

 decompose under water with sulphuret of hydrogen, filter and 

 evaporate. Faintly brownish, amorphous mass of acidulous, 

 acerb taste, dissolves in water and alcohol, slowly in ether, imparts 

 a dark-gi-een tinge to chloride of iron, does not pi-ecipitate glue 

 and tartarated antimony. 



AtLainantin = C24 H15 O7. In Peucedanum Oreoselinum. 

 Desiccate the alcoholic extract of the roots or seeds, treat with 

 ether, decolourise the ethereous tincture by animal charcoal and 

 leave to evaporate spontaneously. Dissolve the crystalline rem- 

 nant in alcohol, dilute with much water and recrystallise the pre- 

 cipitate, obtained after some time, in alcohol. Colourless, long 

 needles, when heated of a peculiarly rancid, saponaceous odoiir, of 

 at first somewhat bitter and rancid, afterwards faintly harsh taste, 

 fiisible at 79°, decomposes in higher temperatures while yielding 

 valerianic acid; insoluble in water, easily soluble in weak alcohol 

 and ether, more copiously in volatile and fixed oils and without 

 decomposition in sulphuric acid; sepai-ates by diluted sulphuric 

 acid and by alkalies into valerianic acid and oreoselon. (See 

 Peucedanin). 



Atherosperniin = C30 II.20 NO 5. Alkaloid of the bark of 

 Atherosperma moschatum. Extract with warm water, acidified 

 by sulphuric acid, press and precipitate with carbonate of soda. 

 Wash and dry the precipitate and extract with sulphide of 

 carbon. Distil with water containing sulphiiric acid, precipitate 

 the remaining liquid with ammonia, wash and dry the deposit. 

 A white, voluminous, highly electric powder of crystalline appear- 

 ance under the microscope, and of a pure and lasting bitter taste. 

 It assumes a yellowish colour in the direct sunlight; fuses at 128°, 

 and decomposes in higher tempei-atures, while emitting a smell 

 of putrid meat, and afterwards a faint odour of herrings. Water 

 dissolves only traces of it, but acquires a bitter taste ; ether dissolves 

 at 16° Viooo, when boiling i/ioo ; alcohol of 93% at 16° 1/32, 

 at the boiling point half its weight. The cold alcoholic solution 

 shows a decidedly alkaline reaction. Of greater solving power 

 are chloroform, sulphide of carbon, oil of turpentine and other 

 essential oils and diluted acids. Chloi'ine-water effects a yellow 

 solution, not changeable by anunonia. Iodic acid shows towards 

 A. the same a-eaction as towai-ds morphin and oxyacanthin, viz.^ 



* AjkI many cony^eneric plants.— F. v. M, 



