358 
REMARKS ON THE YIELD OF QUININE IN THE 
LEAVESSOF CHINCHONA PLANTS. 
By Dr. ANDERSON, F.L.S. 
Communicated by Clements R. Markham, F.R.G.S. 
[Dr. Anderson’s communication is interesting, as confirming to a certain ex- 
tent the existence of alkaloid in the leaves of C. succirubra. The process 
adopted by Dr. Anderson is varied somewhat from that which he describes as 
adopted by Dr. Simpson and himself in June, 1863, and is more satisfactory, 
inasmuch as the erystals then obtained, and appearing as a whitish spot on the 
glass, might have resulted from the addition of carbonate of soda to bring back 
by its erystallization on glass in the very small quantities named. Moreover, 
tainly gives very strong grounds for confirmation of the existence of alkaloids 
in the leaves, but also shows them to be in a state so much implicated with 
other matters as not to be so easily purified as appeared on the first essay Te- 
ferred to, published 1 I] ppl t to the * Caleutta Gaz tte, August 15, 1863, 
and reprinted in the * Ph tical Journal’ for November. Our impression 
1s not favourable to the manufacture of quinine from the leaves, as the very 
small percentage of quinine (which we do not think exceeds what is mentioned 
m Mr. Howard's analysis), and the complication of this small amount with 
tannin, etc., would probably enhance too much the price of the product.—Ep.] 
v Waa OG 
I have a qualitative analysis going on now of the Chinchona leaves, 
and so far as I have got, there is evidently a considerable amount of 
quinine present, It was precipitated from an “ acidified” alcoholic 
fluid on the addition of carbonate of soda. The process [ am following 
is a long one. First, digestion of about 11b. of dried leaves in concen- 
trated acetie acid, with some details of squeezing: evaporation to dry- 
ness on the water bath. Second, solution in alcohol by boiling, and 
then the residue of the dry residuum not taken up by the alcohol was 
treated with aleohol and acetic acid. The mixed liquids filtered hot 
and strained, then evaporated to almost dryness; the residuum then 
broken up in distilled water: then slight alkaline reaction was brought 
about by carbonate of soda, which resulted in an abundant grey flaky 
precipitate. I am now evaporating this, and as the liquor got heated, 
the precipitate dissolved freely ; and as the liquor diminishes, a erystal- 
line scum has formed on the top of the hot liquid: the liquid is ™ 
