44 Dr. F. Mahla on Berberin in Hydrastis Canadensis. 
tracted. The ci Dispensatory gives one of those methods, 
setding to which the powdered root should be extracted wit ith 
alcohol. The tincture thus obtained is then evaporated, the 
residue mixed with water, the whole filtered and a quantity of 
hydrochloric acid added to the watery liquid, when a beautiful 
crystalline see makes its appearance, which was assumed 
to be the pure hydrastin. 
tol were again pressed and once ot ‘crystallized from al- 
ol, after which they were considere 
taste. It is inodorous and little soluble in cold water, to which 
it imparts, however, a deep ellow color, Cold alcohol dissolves 
also very little but it is rea ily soluble and in large proportions 
both in boiling water and in alcohol, These hot solutions ex- 
hibit a brown-yellow tint, while the cold diluted solutions are 
a yellow. Neither litmus nor curcuma paper is affected by 
t 
Concentrated sulphuric acid dissolves it with olive green color 
and disengages hydrochloric acid. 
Concentrated nitric acid seein a deep red solution under 
disengagement of nitrous acid vapors. 
oes not emit any trace of ammonia, when boiled with a 
diluted solution of caustic potassa, but clots together and is trans- 
formed into a brown resinous nica Pid adheres strongly 
to the sides of the vessel. This us body is insoluble in 
| but soluble in alcohol, to which it. imparts a bitter taste. 
with soda-lime it emits ammonia. 
Dry chlorine gas transforms it inte a red body, which is readily 
soluble in water. 
senegmsrene 
a a ae ea 
