CHEMISTRY OF THE LEUCOMAINES. 329 



cold l)v mrmirir chloride, silver nitrate, and by ammo- 

 niacal lead acetate, l>ut not by normal lead acetate. .On 

 evaporation with nitric acid, the residue gives, on contact 

 with potassium hydrate, as in the case of xanthinc, a beau- 

 tiful orange-red coloration (xanthine reaction). It differs 

 from xantliinc, not only in its empirical composition, but 

 also in its greater solubility, and in its crystalline form. 

 It is possible that this base, on account of its great resem- 

 blance to xanthine, may have been mistaken, at different 

 times, for that compound. 



GERONTINE, C,H 14 N 2 , is a new base which was isolated 

 by GRANDIS in 1890. It has been repeatedly observed in 

 the form of peculiar crystals found in the cell nuclei in the 

 liver, particularly of old dogs. The free base is an isomer 

 of cadaverine, etc., and resembles it somewhat. It crystal- 

 lizes in needles which are readily soluble in water and alco- 

 hol ; possesses a strongly alkaline reaction, and yields the 

 ordinary alkaloidal reactions. 



The hydrochloride forms prismatic crystals, which are 

 deliquescent and easily soluble in alcohol. 



The platinochloride, C s H, 4 N 2 .2HCl.PtCl 4 , is soluble in 

 water and crystallizes in spindle-shaped needles, arranged 

 in rosettes. It decomposes at 115. 



The gold salt forms small needles, and is easily soluble 

 in water and alcohol. 



It combines with one molecule of mercuric chloride to 

 form deliquescent cubes or rectangular prisms containing 

 two molecules of water of crystallization. It decomposes 

 above 100. This distinguishes it from eadav< riuc, which 

 combines with three to four molecules of men uric chloride. 

 The crystals observed in the liver are probably the phos- 

 phate. 



The new base also yields a benzoyl compound which 

 melts at 175-176. 



Phyriological Action. It seems to exert a paralyzing 

 action upon the nerve centres, and leaves the nerves and 

 muscles unaffected. 



