470 DE ANDERSON ON THE PRODUCTS OF THE 



The atomic weights deduced from which agree very closely with the calculated 

 results : 



I. Atomic weight, by expei'iment, 



II 



Ill 



Mean, .... 



Calculation, .... 



9103 

 891-2 

 894-2 

 898-5 

 900-0 



The mode in which this base is formed during the decomposition of gelatine, 

 it is, of com-se, impossible at present to perceive. In its chemical relations it is, 

 however, in all probability, related to the butyric series; and it is even possible that 

 we may obtain it by artificial processes. Some time since, Kolbe* published some 

 researches on the galvanic decomposition of valerianic acid, among the products 

 of which he discovered a carbo-hydrogen, having the formula C, H;,. Now, by 

 treating this substance in the same manner as benzine is acted upon for the pre- 

 paration of aniline, we ought to obtain from it, if not petinine, at least an iso- 

 meric compound, as may be easily seen by comparing the formulae of the diiferent 

 substances : 



Benzine, . . . CijH,; C^ Hg Kolbe's carlio-liydrogen. 



Nitro-benzide, . C^H.i (NO^) C, Hg (NO^) Action of nitric acid. 

 Aniline, . . . CioHj N CsHjoN Petinine. 



I have not yet had an opportunity of determining whether the change which 

 theory would lead us to expect actually takes place, but there is every reason to 

 suppose that it would. 



Properties of Petinine. 

 Petinine is a transparent colourless fluid, limpid as ether, and possessing a high 

 refracting power. It has an excessively pungent odour resembling that of am- 

 monia, and yet quite distinct, for when the effect of its pungency has gone off, or 

 it is smelt in a dilute state, its smell is disagreeable, and somewhat similar to that 

 of decayed apples. Its taste is hot and very pungent. It boils at a temperature 

 of about 175° F. ; but the quantity which I possessed was too small to admit of 

 an accm-ate determination either of this point, or of its specific gi-avity, although 

 the latter is certainly less than that of water. Petinine is a very powerful base, 

 and immediately restores the blue colour of reddened litmus, and gives abundant 

 fumes, when a rod dipped in hydrochloric acid is held over it. It unites with the 

 concentrated acids, with the evolution of much heat. It dissolves in aU propor- 

 tions in water, alcohol, ether, and the oils ; and is also soluble in dilute solution 

 of potass, but not in concentrated. Petinine gives double salts with bichloride of 



* Memoirs of the Chemical Society of London, Part xxi. 



