A NEW ORGANIC BASE FROM COAL-TAR. 183 
This salt differs in constitution from the aniline salt, which is represented by 
the formula 2 (C,, H, N)+3 Hg Cl; it tallies, however, perfectly with the compound 
of chinoline and bichloride of mercury, which is C,, H; N + Hg Cl,. 
I have not particularly examined the other compounds of picoline. 
Products of the Decomposition of Picoline. 
The small quantity of picoline at my disposal has hitherto prevented my ex- 
amining particularly the products of its decomposition, a branch of the subject 
which presents numerous points of interest. Such results, however, as I have 
obtained, indicate a striking difference between the products afforded by it and 
aniline. 
When treated with nitric acid of specific gravity 1:5, picoline is immediately 
dissolved, but without communicating to the fluid the fine indigo-blue colour 
which aniline produces under similar circumstances. On the application of heat 
there is produced an extremely slow evolution of nitrous fumes, which contrasts 
strikingly with the tumultuous action which aniline produces. After very long- 
continued treatment with nitric acid, the fluid was evaporated to a very small 
bulk, when it deposited large crystals in the form of rhomboidal tables. These 
crystals, on being treated with potass, evolved picoline unchanged. The potass 
solution was red, but it contained no carbazotic acid, at least no carbazotate of 
potass was deposited on evaporation. 
An excess of bromine water added to picoline causes an immediate and abund- 
ant precipitate of a reddish colour, which, on standing during the night, deposited 
itself in the form of a transparent reddish oil. ‘This substance is destitute of 
basic properties, and is readily soluble in alcohol and ether, but not in water. 
Aniline, when treated in the same manner, gives, as is well known, the bromani- 
loid of Frirscue, which is solid, and crystallises in silky needles, fusible at 232°. 
It seems probable that the oily fluid obtained from picoline may possess a con- 
stitution similar to that of bromaniloid, in which case it would have the formula 
C,, (H, Br;) N, and would receive the name of bromopicoloid. I had not enough 
of it for analysis. 
The action of chlorine on picoline is remarkably analogous to that which it pro- 
duces on aniline. When passed into anhydrous picoline it is rapidly absorbed, 
and colourless crystals, apparently of hydrochlorate of picoline, are deposited. 
In a short time, however, the fluid becomes dark brown, and is finally converted 
into aresin. This resin was mixed with water, and a current of chlorine passed 
through it for some hours. The fluid was then introduced into a retort, and dis- 
tilled, a crystalline substance, passed over along with the water, and after all the 
water had passed, another substance made its appearance, while a large quantity 
of carbon was left in the retort. The quantity in which I obtained these sub- 
stances was far too small to admit of their particular examination, but it appeared 
