^ 



< 



Relation of the Chemical Cofnjposiiion of Bodies to Taste. 199 



Harmalin requires the addition of C2H2 to the second of 

 Heldt's formulcB (CsH^jn-Hx + Oy^R. 



C27Hl4N202=C27H22=:(C5H4)5-|-C2FT2. 



Chinin and Cinchonin require the subtraction of Cs. 



Chinin=038H22N2O4*=C38H32 = (C5H4)8-C2. 



Cinchonin =C38H22N204t=C38H32=(C5H4)8-C2. 



Strichnin requires the deduction of an atom of carbonic acid, 

 or its equivalent CH2, and the same formula of resin as that of 

 Bebeerin. 



C44H24N204=:C44H34 = (C5H4)9-CH2. 



Cotarnin requires the addition of an atom of carbonic acid. 



C26Hl3N06f=C26H22 = (C5H4)^+CH2. 



The following require slight modifications. 



Morphin=:C34Hl9N06§=rC34H28 = (C5H4)7-C. 



Pfperin =:C34HibN06|1 =C34H28=(C5H4)7 -C. 

 Veratrin ^C34H22N06 =C34H3 1— (C5H4)7_C+H3. 



It will readily be seen that in this series the differences be- 

 tween the essential oil and its derivative are such as would disap- 

 pear with the addition or subtraction of an atom of carbonic acid, 



or water in some cases, and a little more or less oxydation in 

 others. 



In those bases where the quantity of nitrogen is much larger, the 

 third formula of Heldt would still give us the corresponding resins. 



(C5H4)n- Hx+0x+0y=:R. 



Take for example Caffein. 



C14H8N4O4. 

 The nearest essential oil of the constitution (C5H4 )« is C 1 5 H 1 2. 



Cl5Hl2-H4-|-04-fOl4-j-4(Fl3N)-12HO=Cl5H8N406. 



If we deduct from this formula an atom of carbonic acid, we 

 nave 



C15H8N4O6-CO2— C14H8N4O4. 



Theobromin differs, as has been remarked,1[ from Caffein only 

 byC^H.o. 



Cl4H8N404+C2H2=Cl6HloN4 0i. 



The construction from the class of oils, above referred to, of 

 the formula of those alkaloids in which the quantity of hydro- 

 gen is much greater, is more difficult. 



The foregoing relationships have an interest taken in connec- 

 tion with the inquiry to which attention has been directed, to wit, 



^lay there be a common form anions bodies having a common 

 taste? J ^ 



Ann. Ch. Phys. [3] xix, 363 ; Ann. d. Ch. u. Ph:ir., Ixii, 95. 

 t Ann. Cli. Phys. [3] xix, 865. % Ann. Ch. Phys. [3] xi 



Ann. Ch. Phys. [3] xix, 361 ; Ann. d. Ch. u. Ph.ir., Ixiii, 98. 

 Ann. Ch. Phys. fsl xix, 363. 



5 Ann. 



