584 PROFESSOR ANDERSON ON THE PRODUCTS OF THE 



2 (C 12 H 6 Na N) + 2HO = C 24 H 14 N 2 + 2NaO. 



If this be the case, hydrogen ought to be evolved during the action of sodium 

 on picoline, but owing to the slow nature of the action which takes place, I have 

 not been able to satisfy myself that such is the case. 



Whatever be its nature, parapicoline must be considered a very remarkable 

 base, and altogether unique in the mode of its production, but it is completely 

 analogous in its constitution to nicotine, for the determination of the density of 

 the vapour of that base has shown incontestably that its rational formula is 

 C 20 H 10 N 2 , and that of its platinum salt, C 20 H l0 N 2HC1 Pt 2 Cl,. I think it can 

 scarcely be doubted that nicotine, like parapicoline, has been formed by the 

 combination of two equivalents of a base boiling at a temperature not greatly 

 exceeding 212°, and which will some day be discovered. I have attempted to 

 reconvert parapicoline into picoline, but without success ; for though the change 

 appears to be partially effected by rapid distillation, the process is not definite, 

 much carbonate of ammonia being produced. 



Salts of Parapicoline. 



The salts of parapicoline are chiefly uncrystallizable, and present but few 

 points of interest. I have therefore submitted them to a very cursory exami- 

 nation. 



Sulphate of Parapicoline is obtained as a gummy mass, very soluble in 

 water, less so in alcohol. It shows no signs of crystallization. 



Nitrate of Parapicoline is obtained by saturating nitric acid with the base, 

 and evaporating. A syrupy fluid is left, which slowly solidifies on cooling into a 

 mass of short needles. It is exceedingly soluble in water, less so in alcohol, 

 and it does not deliquesce. 



Hydrochlorate of Parapicoline is an amorphous resin, very soluble in water. 



Hydrargocliloride of Parapicoline. A solution of corrosive sublimate imme- 

 diately gives an abundant curdy precipitate of this salt when added to an alco- 

 holic solution of parapicoline. It is insoluble in alcohol and in water, but is 

 instantly dissolved on the addition of a few drops of hydrochloric acid. 



Aurocliloride of Parapicoline, is a yellow insoluble amorphous substance, 

 decomposed at the boiling heat. 



The details now given, as well as those contained in the preceding parts of 

 this investigation, may serve to illustrate with sufficient fulness the general 

 characters of the bases of the pyridine series. It remains for me only to direct 

 attention to their physical properties, which illustrate in a very striking manner 

 the relations subsisting between the different members of a homologous series. 

 The particulars of most of the experiments have been already given, and it is 

 only necessary to add those by which the specific gravity of the vapour of luti- 

 dine was determined. 



