OAPROYLAMIN. 253 



and (CHj)2.CH.NHj. The former, or the normal compound, boils 

 at 47°-48°, whilst the latter, or iso-propylamin, boils at 31.5°. 

 Both are liquids possessing an ammoniacal, fish-like odor. They 

 form crystalline salts ; the hydrochlorids melt respectively at 155°- 

 158° and at 139.5°. 



Iso-propylamin (?) has been found among the distillation products 

 of the vinasse of beet-root molasses. Propylamin has been obtained 

 by Brieger (1887) from cultures of the bacteria of human feces on- 

 gelatin. Schwanert has isolated from the organs of a cadaver a 

 basic substance which was said to possess an odor similar to propyl- 

 amin. 



Butylamin, C^HjjN, was obtained by Gautier and Mourgues 

 (1888) in cod-liver oil. It forms a colorless, mobile, alkaline liquid, 

 the boiling point of which they found to be 86° at 760 mm. It 

 absorbs carbonic acid from the air and readily forms salts. The 

 platinochlorid forms golden-yellow plates which are quite soluble. 



In animals it produces an increase in the function of the skin and 

 kidneys, and in large doses fatigue, stupor and vomiting. 



Iso-amylamin, C^HjjN = (CH3)2.CH.CH,.CH2.NH2, has been 

 obtained by Limpricht in the distillation of horn with potash ; it 

 also occurs in the putrefaction of yeast (Miiller, Hesse, 1857); and 

 in cod-liver oil (Gautier and Mourgues, 1888), where it constitutes 

 nearly one-third of the bases present. Since leucin on heating yields 

 amylamin and carbonic acid it may be looked upon as a source of 

 this ptomain. 



It is a colorless, strongly alkaline liquid, possessing an odor which 

 is not disagreeable. At the ordinary pressure it boils at 97°- 

 98°. 



The hydrochlorid forms deliquescent crystals, which have a bitter, 

 disagreeable taste. The platinochlorid crystallizes in golden-yellow 

 slender plates, which are very soluble in boiling water. The base 

 is, according to Gautier and Mourgues, identical with that obtained 

 by treating iso-amylcarbimid with potash. 



It is a very active poison, producing rigor, convulsions, and death. 

 Four milligrams produce death in a greenfinch in three minutes. 



Gaproylamin (Hexylamin), CgH^jN, has been found to occur by 

 Hesse (1857) in the putrefaction of yeast. Hager isolated from 

 some putrid material what he thought to be a mixture of amylamin 

 and caproylamin, and named it septicin. 



Hexylamin was found, in small quantity, in cod-liver oil, by 

 Gautier and Mourgues, and according to these authors it resembles 

 amylamin in its action, but is less toxic. 



