TRIMETHYLAMINE IN AUSTRALIAN SALT BUSH. 243 



the melting point of choline platinichloride as 215 — 240° 0. 

 with decomposition). 



The amount of platinum in this double salt was 30*68 

 per cent., theory requires for the platinum salt of choline 

 31*65 per cent, 



The chemical reactions of the crystalline hydrochloride 

 of this base, when tested in comparison with a sample of 

 choline hydrochloride obtained from Burroughs Wellcome 

 and Co., showed remarkable similarity in all directions. 

 The characteristic hygroscopic property of the choline salt 

 however was not observed with the salt of this base, and 

 moreover it was also much less soluble in absolute alcohol. 

 That the isolated base contains the trimethylamine complex 

 is shown by the evolution of this substance when the salt 

 is decomposed by heat, and it appears to be therefore, the 

 source of trimethylamine in Rhagodia hastata. 



It is hoped that by working on large amounts of this salt 

 bush, sufficient of the base may be isolated to enable the 

 determination of its constitution to be undertaken and also 

 to observe any characteristic physical properties it may 

 have. 



In conclusion, I wish to express my thanks to Mr. H. G. 

 Smith, for the unreserved use of the laboratory and library 

 at the Technological Museum in which a considerable 

 amount of this work was done ; also to Mr. R. T. Baker 

 for botanical assistance, and to Dr. J. M. Petrie for many 

 references to the literature on choline and similar bases. 



