History of Chemical Discoveries^ 305 
Muriate of Brucine crystallises in four-sided prisms, termi- 
nated with an inclined face. It is very soluble in water, and is 
not altered by the air. When heated to a certain degree, it is 
decomposed, and the muriatic acid goes off in white vapours. 
It is decomposed by sulphuric acid and those bases which de- 
compose the sulphate. It consists of 
Muriatic acid, - 5.9533 6.331 
Brucine, - 94.0467 100.000 
. Phosphate of Brucine does not crystallise unless it contains 
an excess of acid, and it then yields large rectangular tables, 
with bevelled edges. This salt is very soluble in water. It ef- 
fervesces slightly in the air, and is soluble in strong alcoliol at 
common temperatures. 
Nitrate of Brucine. The neutral salt forms only a gummy 
mass by evaporation. The super-salt crystallises readily in aci- 
cular quadrangular prisms, witli dihedral summits, and in- 
flames and burns when sufficiently heated. If nitric acid is 
added in excess, a fine red colour is produced, probably from 
a peroxygenation of the alkali. When the liquid is heated, it 
becomes yellow ; and when proto-muriate of tin is added to the 
yellow liquor, it produces an intense and beautiful purple. 
Acetate of Brucine is soluble, but does not crystallise. 
Oxalate of Brucme crystallises readily in long needles, parti- 
cularly if the acid is in excess. 
Brucine is very soluble in alcohol, insoluble in sulphuric 
ether and the fat oils, and very little soluble in the essential oils. 
When administered internally, it produces tetanus, and acts 
on the nerves without attacking the brain, or affecting the in- 
tellectual faculties. Four grains were necessary to kill a rabbit ; 
and a dog that took three grains, suffered severely, but reco- 
vered. — See the Ann. de Clmn. xvi. p. 113. 
V. Accomit (f Delphine, a New Vegetable AlJcali. 
This alkali was discovered in 1819 by MM. Lassaigne 
and F eneu e i.le * in the seeds of stavesacre ( Delphinium sta- 
physagria ) where it exists in union with malic acid. When 
the seeds are deprived of their husks and rinds, they are boiled 
in a small quantity of distilled water, then pressed in a cloth, 
* Dr Brandes is said to have discovered Delphine before the French cho^ 
mists. — E d. 
