116 J)v. A. von Planta on the Constitution of Bebeerine. 



with solvents and reagents the same characters as the unfused 

 bebeerine. Heated above 356°, it decomposes without volatili- 

 zing. Bebeerine has a distinctly alkaline reaction, and saturates 

 the acids completely, forming salts which are best obtained by 

 direct solution. Neither the pure bebeerine nor its salts are 

 crystallizable. In water it is extremely insoluble ; so much so, 

 that when its alcoholic solution is mixed with water, scarcely a 

 trace remains in solution. It is, however, soluble in almost 

 every proportion in alcohol, less so in aether, and in both fluids 

 its solubility increases with the temperature. Hydrochlorate of 

 bebeerine presents the following reactions. 



Potash, ammonia and their carbonates, throw down bebeerine 

 as a white flocky precipitate, which remains suspended in the 

 fluid, and is not easily dissolved by excess of any of those re- 

 agents, but rather more readily by the alkalies than by their 

 carbonates. Bicarbonate and phosphate of soda give flocky white 

 precipitates, of which the latter is easily soluble in hydrochloric 

 acid. Bichloride of platinum gives a pale yellow, and terchlo- 

 ride of gold a reddish-brown precipitate, both of which are almost 

 insoluble in hydrochloric acid. Iridio-chloride of sodium and 

 iodide of mercury and potassium give precipitates ; the former 

 ochre-coloured and insoluble in hydrochloric acid, the latter pale 

 yellow and soluble. In sufficiently concentrated solutions of 

 the base, sulphocyanide and iodide of potassium give white, tinc- 

 ture of iodine a kermes-brown, and carbazotic acid a yellow pre- 

 cipitate. Corrosive sublimate gives a v^^hite precipitate, which 

 becomes more abundant by the addition of small quantities of 

 hydi'ochloric acid and chloride of ammonium, but is dissolved 

 by a larger excess of both reagents, although more readily by 

 hydrochloric acid. Infusion and tincture of galls give white 

 precipitates, which become more abundant by addition of hydro- 

 chloric acid, by excess of which they are not redissolved. Iodic 

 acid produces in the cold a light reddish-browoi colour, which 

 soon becomes darkei", and at length acquires a very deep red hue. 



The bebeerine employed for analysis was from two different 

 preparations. It was dried at 250°, and burnt with chromate 

 of lead. It was found to be very difficult of combustion. 



I. 4*629 grs. bebeerine gave 12'401 grs. carbonic acid and 

 2-840 grs. water. 



II. 4'373 grs. bebeerine gave 11 "682 grs. carbonic acid and 

 2" 761 grs. water. 



III. 3743 grs. bebeerine gave 9-997 grs. carbonic acid and 

 2-330 water. 



The nitrogen was determined by Varrentrap and Wills's me- 

 thod. 



I 



