314 Scientific Intelligence. [Oct. 



saturating acids, like salifiable bases, that this bitter principle 

 derives its claim to be considered as an alkali. The same 

 remark applies to morphium when it is in a perfectly pure state. 



M. Boullay remarks that the bitter narcotic principle which he 

 first obtained pure and crystallized, and which appears to possess 

 the properties of an alkali of vegetable origin, forms a new class 

 of bodies, of which it is probable we shall detect many species. 

 MM. Pelletier and Caventou have just discovered an alkali in 

 Nux vomica, and the bean of St. Ignatius, which probably must 

 be referred to this head. 



The acid which appears to be naturally combined with the 

 picrotoxine, in the form of a super-salt, is supposed by the 

 author to be of a peculiar nature ; it appears to differ from the 

 meconic acid ; but this he proposes to make the subject of 

 further investigation hereafter. 



VI. Extract from a Notice read to the Academy of Sciences, 



Aug. 10, respecting the Discovert/ of a Neto Alkali. 



This notice relates to the discovery made by MM. Pelletier 

 and Caventou, which is referred to in the last article. We 

 are informed, that in analyzing the Nux vomica and St. Ignatius's 

 bean, they met with a new vegetable alkaline substance, which 

 is conceived to compose the active principle of these bodies. 

 Its chemical properties are as follows. 



It is slightly soluble in water, very soluble in alcohol, restores 

 the colour of turnsole after it has been reddened by an acid, 

 does not redden turmeric, combines with acids, which it satu- 

 rates, and forms with them crystallizable salts. 



The discoverers have given this substance the name of vau- 

 queline, in honour of the celebrated chemist, who was their 

 preceptor, and who is said to have first discovered the alkaline 

 properties of a vegetable substance which he procured from the 

 daphne alpina. The authors remark that the alkali from the 

 Nux vomica and from the Daphne, together with the picrotoxine 

 of M. Boullay, and morphium, will form the first genera of a new 

 class of vegetable principles. 



VII. On the Existence of Boracic Acid in Tourmaline and in 



Axinite. By M. Vogel. 



The existence of the boracic acid in tourmaline and axinite 

 was announced by M. Vogel to the Royal Society of Munich, in 

 July last, as we leam from the number of the Journ. de Pharm. 

 for August, which we have just received. 



After remarking upon the uncertainty which still attaches to 

 the composition of the tourmaline, M. Vogel gives an account of 

 the method which he adopted to procure the boracic acid in a 

 separate state : he declines detailing the complete analysis of 

 this mineral, because M. Gmelin of Tubingen is now engaged in 

 this investigation. 



154-44 gr. (10 grammes) of black tourmaline, from the Upper 



