204 Miscellaneous Intelligence. 



substances, and digesting it in alcohol, using the same portion 

 to different quantities of the shell. The pieces thus treated 

 gradually parted with their colouring matter, and were incapable 

 of becoming red when boiled. The solution collected and eva- 

 porated afforded a red matter, having the appearance of fat. 

 This substance is insipid and inodorous ; is insoluble in water, 

 but is easily dissolved in sulphuric acid, or concentrated alco- 

 hol. Its solution is of a scarlet colour, and does not become 

 turbid by the addition of water, so that it is not analogous to 

 fat. Potash, soda, or ammonia, do not alter its colour. Dilute 

 mineral acids have no effect upon it ; but, when concentrated, 

 they destroy and change it into a dull yellow substance. 

 Salts of tin, lead, iron and copper, do not precipitate this sub- 

 stance from a solution of alcohol. M. Lassaigne states that this 

 substance is contained in a membrane which adheres strongly to 

 the calcareous envelope when the animal is young ; but that it 

 is easily separated from those at the full growth. The mem- 

 brane is very thin, and is of a violet colour in reflected light; 

 but of a purple hue in transmitted light. — Journal de Phar- 

 macie, vi. p. 174. 



8. Vegetable Alcali: Daturium. — A substance, supposed to be 

 a new vegetable alkali, has been obtained from the seeds of the 

 daturium stramonium by M, R. Brandes, and distinguished by 

 the name Daturium. It is combined in the seeds with malic acid, 

 and is obtained in the usual way. It is nearly insoluble in water 

 and cold alcohol, but is soluble in hot alcohol from which it pre- 

 cipitates on cooling in flocculi. It has been obtained with diffi- 

 culty in crystals, which were quadrangular needles. It neu- 

 tralizes acids, but requires to be added in large quantity. Its 

 sulphate is crystallizable, soluble in water, efflorescent, and 

 decomposed by fixed alkalies. Its muriate forms square plates, 

 readily soluble in water. Its nitrate is crystalline and soluble. 

 Its acetate is deliquescent. It acts on iodine as other alkalies 

 do, though feebly. — Journal de Physique, xci. p. 144. 



9. Atropia. — Another of these substances found by the same 

 philosopher in the Bella donna Atropia, and which gives to 

 that plant its particular properties, is atropia ; it is white, 

 shining, crystallizable in long needles, insipid, and little so- 

 luble in water or alcohol ; it forms regular salts with the acids, 

 and is capable of neutralizing a considerable quantity of them. 

 Its sulphate contains 



Atropia 38.93 



Sulphuric acid 36.52 



Water 24.55 



100 



