456 CANTHARIDIN. 



is at first produced, and afterwards, by further action, 

 chrysammic acid (p. 409). When fused with caustic 

 potassa, it yields orcine (p. 307), paraoxybenzoic (p. 

 347), alorcic (p. 353), and oxalic acids. 



Athamantin, C 24 H 30 7 . In the root and half-ripe 

 seeds of Athamanta oreoselinum. Lustrous, crystalline 

 mass, consisting of fine needles or large, four-sided 

 prisms. Insoluble in water, easily soluble in alcohol 

 and ether. Combines with dry hydrochloric acid and 

 sulphurous anhydride, forming crystalline compounds. 

 The hydrochloric acid compound is decomposed when 

 heated alone or when its alcoholic solution is evaporated, 

 yielding valeric and hydrochloric acids and oreoselone, 

 C 14 H 10 3 , which crystallizes in colorless needles ; insolu- 

 ble in water, difficultly soluble in alcohol^and ether; is 

 converted into a crystalline substance, oreoselin, C U H 12 4 , 

 when boiled with water containing hydrochloric acid. 



Antiarin, C 14 H 20 O 5 , a neutral substance, crystallizing 

 in colorless laminae; difficultly soluble in alcohol; 

 forms compounds with acids, bases, and metallic salts ; 

 is the exceedingly poisonous ingredient of a variety of 

 upas, an extract prepared in Java, from the sap of 

 Antiaris toxicaria. 



Brasilin, C 22 H 20 7 (?), the coloring matter of Brazil 

 and Pernambuco wood. Small, reddish-yellow prisms, 

 soluble in water and alcohol, forming a red solution. 

 Acids turn it yellow, citric acid causes this change 

 especially beautifully ; when now neutralized with an 

 excess of alkali it turns violet or blue, with ammonia 

 deep carmine-red. It is decolorized by sulphuretted 

 hydrogen and sulphurous anhydride. 



Cantharidin, C 5 H 6 2 . Is contained in beetles of 

 the genera Lytta, Meloe, and Mylabris, especially in 

 Spanish flies (Lytta vesicatoria), arid can be extracted 

 from them with ether. Colorless, four-sided prisms, or 

 larninse. Insoluble in water, sparingly in alcohol, 

 easily soluble in ether; melts at 250, and sublimes at 

 a lower temperature without decomposition. liaises 



