ACONITINE. 453 



chloric acid, it is resolved into tropic acid (p. 354) and 

 the acids resulting from this, atropic and isatropic 

 acids (p. 376); and into tropine, C 8 H 15 NO, a base easily 

 soluble in water and alcohol, which crystallizes from 

 ether in colorless plates, fusing at 61. Water is as- 

 similated in this decomposition. 



16. Thysostigmine (Eserine), C 15 !! 21 ]^ 2 . In the Cala- 

 bar bean (the seed of Physostigma venenosum, a plant 

 growing in Upper Guinea). Yellow, amorphous mass, 

 fusing at 45 ; sparingly soluble in water, easily sol- 

 uble in alcohol, ether, benzene, and chloroform. 

 Strongly alkaline ; tasteless ; exceedingly poisonous ; 

 causes a decided contraction of the pupil. The free 

 base as well as its salts are decomposed in aqueous solu- 

 tions in the air. 



17. Hyoscyamine, C 15 H 23 N0 3 . In the leaves and 

 seeds of Hyoscyamus niger and albus. Fine prisms, of a 

 silky lustre ; inodorous when pure, when moist or im- 

 pure of a very repulsive, suffocating odor, and sharp, 

 disagreeable taste ; easily fusible. Moderately solu- 

 ble in water ; alkaline ; very decomposable in contact 

 with alkalies. Very poisonous ; causes, like atropine, 

 dilatation of the pupil. "When heated with barium 

 hydroxide, it is resolved into hyoscinic acid, C 9 H 10 3 

 (identical or isomeric with tropic acid), and a crystal- 

 line base hyoscine, C 5 H 13 N". . 



18. Emetine. In ipecacuanha (the root of Cephaelis 

 ipecacuanha). White powder ; fusing point, 70 ; 

 sparingly soluble in cold water, very easily soluble in 

 alcohol ; of a weak, bitter taste. Even in very small 

 doses it causes violent vomiting. 



19. Aconitine, C 27 H 39 ^"0 10 (?). In the leaves and 

 seeds of Aconitum napellus, in company with aconitic 

 acid (p. 179). Colorless, rhombic plates ; almost inso- 

 luble in water even at the boiling temperature ; a drop of 

 acid causes instantaneous solution ; soluble in alcohol, 



