CII KM IS TH V OF THK PTOMAINES. 229 



/'A//.s7o/oy/<W A<-fiuii. The Icisc pos-rssi - tlir property 



of exciting the appetite; it arts MS a diaphoretic ami above 

 all as a diuretic. (>.(2!) gramme given suliciitaix onsly 

 to a gninea-rpig produced in two and a half hours a l<>-> 

 of 1 .">.") grammes in the weight of the animal. Tin 1 same 

 Hlivt is prodiK-ed in liirds. Strong doses (0.1 gramme per 

 kilogramme) prodn*-* 1 fatigue and hebetude. 



A UASK, ( 1 13 IT 20 N 4 . was obtained as early as 1H<>8 by 

 < >>I:K, who observe* I its formation during the fermentation 

 of pure cane-sugar by means of yeast. The hydroehloride 

 when drie<l in vaeiio is said to form a white, very hygro- 

 scopic foliacciins mass, which soon becomes brown on expo- 

 sure to air. At first it imparts a burning taste, which is 

 scum replaced by a very bitter sensation. 



A P>.\si; corresponding to the formula C, 7 H 38 N 4 was ol>- 

 t-iined by ( J.U"TIKI: and HTAIJD from the mother-liquors of 

 the platinochloride of the base C a H,.N. Very little is 



~ tO 



known, however, in regard to the general properties of this 

 base, <wiiiu to the small quantity which could IM> isolated. 

 This base ;md the one obtained by OSKK from the yeast- 

 li'nueiifatioii of sugar, C 13 ir 20 N 4 , an<l aselline, C^lI^jN^ 

 are the only jitoma'ines thus liir isolatxxl which are known 

 to contain four atoms ol nitrogen. 



Tlx 1 PLATIN.K iii.diMiu:, (V 7 II 38 N 4 .-JHCl.PtCl 4 (Pt = 

 -!.'}'! |HT cent.), is ivadily soluble, ami crystalli/es in 

 ncMlles which j>o~~, ~- ,-i light-yellow flesh color. When 

 heated to 100, it slowly decomposes, giving oil' a syringa- 

 like odor. 



A-KLUNK, C 2 ,,H 32 N 4 , isolate*! by (IATTIKU and Mouii- 

 <.i ivS (1SSS), lordlier with live other bases from cod-liver 

 oil. (See p. 26.'}.) It is present only in small (piantity in 

 the oil. The name is derive* 1 from Asellns major, the great 

 codfish. The free base is thrown down from the solutions 

 of the hydroehloride by the addition of alkali, in amorphous 

 whit* 1 llocciilcs which arc almost insoluble in water. It is 

 almost colorless, but on exposure to the air Ixvomcs slightly 



11 



