Destructive Distillation of Animal Substances. 219 



of the four aethyle atoms which the complex base contained is 

 decomposed, and the other three remain with the ammonia in 

 the form of a nitryle base ; in fact, we may fairly assume that 

 the atom of aethyle added to the trisethylamiue to convert it into 

 tetrsethylammonium is decomposed, aud the base which formed 

 the starting-point of that action is regenerated. With meth- 

 sethylopicoline the case is different ; we start, indeed, from a 

 nitryle base, but in place of reproducing it in the decomposition, 

 the atom of sethyle which has been added takes possession of 

 the ammonia, and produces an amide base, leaving the radicals, 

 which we must assume to have replaced the three atoms of 

 hydrogen in the ammonia from which the picoline was originally 

 produced, in some other form of combination. In another point, 

 also, the decomposition of sethylopicoline differs from that of 

 tetrsethylammonium. According to Hofmann, the latter base is 

 entirelyconvertedintotrisethylamine andolefiant gas; butsethylo- 

 picoline, even after long- continued boiling, gives an abundant 

 residue on evaporation. The substance so obtained is amorphous, 

 has an intense blood-red colour, and is a base forming a platinum 

 salt insoluble in water. Although these experiments were made 

 on a very small scale, and the slowness of the action rendered it 

 impossible to say with certainty whether the decomposition was 

 complete, this platinum compound was analysed, and the results 

 were — 



5-840 grs. of the platinum salt gave 8-550 grs. carbonic acid 

 and 2 390 grs. water. 



7 - 555 grs. of the platinum salt gave 1-652 gr. platinum. 



Carbon .... 39-92 



Hydrogen . . . 4-54 



Platinum .... 21-86 



From a single analysis such as this it is impossible to deduce 

 a formula ; but it is obvious that a base of much higher atomic 

 weight than aethylopicoline has been produced, the further ex- 

 amination of which must be deferred to a future paper, and 

 which will probably lead to interesting results. 



Action of Iodide of At,thyle on Pyridine. 

 When pyridine is treated with iodide of sethyle, the action, as 

 might be expected, is in all respects similar to that which occurs 

 with picoline. A homogeneous mixture is first formed, and then, 

 on gently warming, the action takes place, with the evolution of 

 much heat, and the hydriodate of jcthylopyridine rises to the 

 surface as an oily layer. The crystallization of this substance, 

 as it cools, is an extremely beautiful phenomenon. Minute 

 rhombs make their appearance here and there in the viscid fluid, 



