1906.] On the Poison Plants of Western Australia. 487 



and they must be kept dry, otherwise they slowly decompose ; moreover, in 

 their preparation from the plant, it is absolutely necessary that in none of the 

 operations should the temperature be raised above 30° C. 



The free alkaloid is still more unstable, and, when set free from the hydro- 

 chloride by means of ammonia, is uncrystallisable and decomposes readily. 



Hydrochloride of the Alkaloid. — The acicular crystals, when obtained pure, 

 were analysed. The mean of seven analyses gave the following results : — 

 C = 62-6, H = 6-6, N = 7*9, CI = 10'5. Calculated for Ci 9 H 22 N 2 3 HCl, 

 C = 62-9, H = 6-3, N = 7*7, CI = 9-8. 



The salt>is not very soluble in water, 100 c.c. dissolving T932 grammes at 

 15° C. The aqueous solution gives the usual alkaloidal reactions. 



From its chemical composition, behaviour, and physiological effect, this 

 substance seems to be new to science and has been named " Cygnine."* 



The gold salt was prepared by allowing a solution of the hydrochloride in 

 alcohol, together with chloride of gold, to evaporate in vacuo. It crystallises 

 in yellow needles, m. p. 220° C, with decomposition. 



On analysis it yielded the following results : — mean of six analyses, 

 C = 34-0, H = 3-5, N = 4-5, CI = 21-0, Au = 29-7. Calculated for 

 Ci 9 H 22 N 2 3 HAuCl 4 , C = 34-3, H = 3-5, N = 4-2, CI = 21*3, Au = 29-5. 



The gold salt is fairly stable in a dry atmosphere, but gradually decom- 

 poses under the influence of light and moisture. 



Cygnic Acid, CioHi 4 . — This acid was obtained from the lead precipitate 

 obtained during the clearing of the alcoholic extracts. The precipitate was 

 suspended in water, and treated with excess of sulphuretted hydrogen, and 

 filtered. The solution was treated with barium hydrate, the resulting brown 

 precipitate washed with alcohol, and decomposed with ammonium sulphate, 

 filtered, and the filtrate evaporated on a water-bath. The residual crystalline 

 mass was dissolved in a small quantity of water, reprecipitated as a crystalline 

 powder by alcohol. This redissolved in water and, evaporated in vacuo, gave 

 large colourless needles, which decomposed on heating. On analysis they 

 gave : — mean of three analyses, C = 52*0, H = 7*5, N = 12*5. Calculated 

 for Ci H 8 O 4 (N"H 4 ) 2 , C = 52*6, H = 7'0, N = 12-3. 



From the ammonium salt the barium salt was prepared ; on analysis it 

 gave Ba = 41*0, Ci H 8 O 4 Ba = 41'6 of Ba. Attempts to prepare the pure 

 acid from the barium salt in dilute sulphuric acid only gave a colourless 

 amorphous residue. The acid is precipitated by lead, barium and silver 

 salts. The silver salt easily reduces on heating, forming a mirror. 



Gastrolobic Acid, C 7 Hi O5.H 2 O. — It was noticed that a flocculent yellow 



* Western Australia was originally known as the Swan Eiver Settlement, and a black 

 swan is still the emblem of the State. 



