100 Proceedings of Boyal Society of Ediribiirgh. [sess. 
pitate with iodine solution, and a flocculent precipitate with picric 
acid. 
Analyses of this ptomaine gave the following results : — 
Carbon, . . 
I. 
. 45-34 
Found. 
II. 
HI.' 
45-29 
Calculated for 
C 6 H 13 N 3 O 2 . 
45-28 
Hydrogen, . 
. 8-22 
— 
8-20 
8-17 
Nitrogen, . 
. 26-39 
26-42 
— 
26-41 
Oxygen, . 
— 
— 
— 
20-12 
The above figures correspond with the formula 0511 ^ 3 ^ 302 . 
(a) When this ptomaine was boiled for a few minutes with 
mercuric oxide, it yielded creatine (methylglycocyamine) according 
to the following equation : — 
C5H13N3O2 + 3O2 = C4H9N3O2 + 2CO2 + 2H2O. 
On cooling, the creatine crystallized out in colourless rhombic 
prisms. These crystals were soluble in water, very slightly soluble 
in alcohol, and insoluble in ether. When heated alone they gave 
rise to ammoniacal products. An aqueous solution of the crystals 
was neutral to test papers, and on the addition of zinc chloride a 
crystalline precipitate was formed. These reactions are characteristic 
of creatine. 
(h) When this ptomaine was boiled for a long time with mercuric 
oxide, it yielded methylguanidine and oxalic acid, z.e., it was first 
converted into creatine (as already stated), and finally the creatine 
yielded methylguanidine (methyluramine) and oxalic acid : — 
C,H,N 302 + O2 = CH4(CH3)N3 + C2H0O4. 
By the addition of pure milk of lime to an aqueous solution of 
the crystalline mass so formed, calcium oxalate was precipitated ; 
and after standing and filtration, the filtrate contained a substance 
which was very deliquescent. Solutions of this substance were 
precipitated by salts of copper, lead, and iron (ferric); and when 
heated with baryta there was a distinct ammoniacal odour, no 
doubt due to the formation of ammonia and methylamine. From 
these reactions, the author concludes that this decomposition product 
was methylguanidine. 
