20 



Mr. C. Schorlemmer on the 



[June 16, 



XVIII. " Chemical and Physiological Experiments on living Cin- 

 chonse." By J. Broughton, B.Sc, F.C.S., Chemist to the 

 Cinchona-Plantations of the Madras Government. Communi- 

 cated by Dr. Edward Frankland. Received May 16, 1870. 



♦ (Abstract.) 



The memoir describes the principal scientific results which have been 

 obtained during the last three years, in the course of chemical work on the 

 Neilgherry Cinchona-plantations. 



The chemical characteristics of the various parts of the Cinchona plant 

 are described. The condition in which the alkaloids are met with in the 

 living bark is shown to be that of a slightly soluble tannate existing in the 

 parenchymatous cells. 



The order of formation of the alkaloids is shown to be, 1st, uncrystal- 

 lizable quinine ; 2nd, crystallizable quinine ; 3rd, cinchonidine and cincho- 

 nine. Reasons are adduced for thinking that the alkaloids are really formed 

 in the tissues in which they are found. 



The effect of the solar rays falling on the bark, either while living on 

 the tree or when separated, is shown to be prejudicial to its contained 

 alkaloids. The effects of shielding the bark artificially, and the influence 

 of elevation of the site of growth, are detailed. 



The question as to whether the alkaloids are substitutes for the mineral 

 bases is discussed, and a series of experiments is described, which combine 

 to show either that such substitution does not take place, or does so only 

 in a very partial degree. 



XIX. cf Researches on the Hydrocarbons of the Series CJI 2w+2 ." — VI. 

 By C. Schorlemmer. Communicated by Prof. Stokes, Sec.R.S. 

 Received June 14, 1870. 



In my last communication* I stated that, from the results of my ex- 

 periments, I came to the conclusion that, by acting on these hydrocarbons 

 with chlorine, a mixture of primary and secondary chlorides was formed, 

 as the alcohols derived from these chlorides yielded on oxidation, besides 

 an acid containing the same number of carbon atoms as the alcohol, also 

 acetones, or the characteristic oxidation products of secondary alcohols. 



The correctness of this conclusion has been fully proved by further ex- 

 periments, and I am at present engaged in investigating the conditions 

 under which the one or the other of these chlorides is formed. 



In order to obtain decisive results, it was first of all required to work on 

 considerable quantities of a hydrocarbon ; and I selected for this research 

 hexyl-hydride, C H u , from petroleum, as this body can be obtained the 

 most easily in a sufficient quantity. 



The derivatives of hexyl-hydride have been fully investigated by Cahours 

 * Proc. Eoy. Soc. vol. xviii, p. 25, 



