DESTRUCTIVE DISTILLATION OF ANIMAL MATTERS. 583 
immediately precipitated when bichloride of platinum is added toa solution of 
the hydrochlorate of parapicoline, as a pale yellow powder, almost insoluble in 
water. The results of the analysis were as follows :— 
I 6317 grains of platinochloride of parapicoline gave 
“ (2059 =... ~~ platinum. 
Ir { 6102 grains of platinochloride of parapicoline gave 
1970 ... platinum. 
Experiment. Calculation. 
Ue Il. 
Carbon, . ; ; aie St 24:07 Cio 72 
Hydrogen, 5 5 ae ae 2-68 H, 8 
Nitrogen, ; : are adi 4:67 N 14 
Chlorine, : ; cat ope 35:59 Cl, 106-5 
Platinum, 5 . 32°59 32°28 32:98 Pt 98-7 
100:00 299-2 
These numbers correspond with the formula C,,H,N HCl PtCl,, which is 
that of the picoline salt; and the analysis would thus lead us to the conclu- 
sion that parapicoline is strictly isomeric with that base. But when its high 
boiling point and other properties are taken into consideration, it is impossible 
to resist the inference, that its real constitution must be different; and I believe 
it ought to be represented by the formula C,,H,,N., and that it is produced by the 
combination of two equivalents of picoline. Unfortunately the high boiling point 
of parapicoline precludes the determination of the specific gravity of its vapour ; 
and as it is not possible in any other way to establish its true constitution, we 
are compelled to assume, as the most probable hypothesis, that it is produced 
by a species of reduplication, of which we have already numerous examples in the 
other classes of organic compounds, although this is the first imstance in which 
it has been observed among the bases. The conversion of cyanic into cyanuric 
acid is a completely analogous case, the more especially as the three equivalents 
of cyanic acid which have combined retain their power of neutralizing as many 
equivalents of base. The simultaneous production of amilene, paramilene, and 
metamilene, during the action of sulphuric acid on amylic alcohol, may also be 
referred to as cases in which a somewhat similar reduplication occurs. It is very 
difficult to explain the mode in which the sodium produces the combination of 
the two equivalents of picoline, but it may possibly be due to a species of catalytic 
action, as a large quantity of the sodium employed is always recovered un- 
changed. A certain quantity of it, however, enters into some sort of combination 
with the picoline or parapicoline, to produce the resinous compound already 
mentioned; and it appears most likely that this substance is a sodiopicoline, 
represented by the formula C,,H,Na N, in which an equivalent of hydrogen has 
been replaced by sodium. ‘The action of water upon the resinous matter would 
then be represented by the following equation :— 
VOL. XXI. PART Iv. 7s 
