470 DR ANDERSON ON THE PRODUCTS OF THE 
The atomic weights deduced from which agree very closely with the calculated 
results : 
I. Atomic weight, by experiment, ‘ : 910°3 
IT. we es se : é 5 891-2 
EE. Ags oe ies ; : ‘ 894-2 
Mean, ; : 7 : : : : 898°5 
Calculation, . : ; : 5 Z : 900-0 
The mode in which this base is formed during the decomposition of gelatine, 
it is, of course, impossible at present to perceive. In its chemical relations it is, 
however, in all probability, related to the butyric series; and it is even possible that 
we may obtain it by artificial processes. Some time since, Korpe* published some 
researches on the galvanic decomposition of valerianic acid, among the products 
of which he discovered a carbo-hydrogen, having the formula C,H,. Now, by 
treating this substance in the same manner as benzine is acted upon for the pre- 
paration of aniline, we ought to obtain from it, if not petinine, at least an iso- 
meric compound, as may be easily seen by comparing the formule of the different 
substances : 
Benzine, . . . Cy He, C; Hy Ko.sz’s carbo-hydrogen.. 
Nitro-benzide, . Cy H;(NO,) C;H,;(NO,) Action of nitric acid. 
Aniline, . . . Cy, N Cs Hy) N Petinine. 
I have not yet had an opportunity of determining whether the change which 
theory would lead us to expect actually takes place, but there is every reason to 
suppose that it would. 
Properties of Petinine. 
Petinine is a transparent colourless fluid, limpid as ether, and possessing a high 
refracting power. It has an excessively pungent odour resembling that of am- 
monia, and yet quite distinct, for when the effect of its pungency has gone off, or 
it-is smelt in a dilute state, its smell is disagreeable, and somewhat similar to that 
of decayed apples. Its taste is hot and very pungent. It boils at a temperature 
of about 175° F.; but the quantity which I possessed was too small to admit of 
an accurate determination either of this point, or of its specific gravity, although 
the latter is certainly less than that of water. Petinine is a very powerful base, 
and immediately restores the blue colour of reddened litmus, and gives abundant 
fumes, when a rod dipped in hydrochloric acid is held over it. It unites with the 
concentrated acids, with the evolution of much heat. It dissolves in all propor-_ 
tions in water, alcohol, ether, and the oils; and is also soluble in dilute solution 
of potass, but not in concentrated. Petinine gives double salts with bichloride of — 
* Memoirs of the Chemical Society of London, Part xxi. 

