350 poisons : their effects and detection. [§ 412. 
If these views are correct, it follows that the least fatal dose for an 
adult man would be 1*64 grm. (about 25-2 grains) of brucine nitrate. 
§ 412. Tests. —If to a solution of brucine in strong alcohol a little 
methyl iodide is added, at the end of a few minutes circular rosettes of 
crystal groups appear (see figure below) : they are composed of methyl 
brucine iodide (C 2 3H 25 (CH 3 )N 2 0 4 HI). Crystals identical in shape are also 
obtained if an alcoholic solution of iodine, or hydriodic acid with iodine, 
is added to an alcoholic solution of brucine. A solution of strychnine 
gives with methyl iodide no similar reaction. Strychnine in alcoholic 
solution, mixed with brucine, in no way interferes with the test. The 
Crystals of Methyl-brucine Iodide. (From a 'photograph.) 
methyl iodide test may be confirmed by the action of nitric acid. With 
that reagent it produces a scarlet colour, passing into blood-red, into 
yellow-red, and finally ending in yellow. This can be made something 
more than a mere colour test, for it is possible to obtain a crystalline 
body from the action of nitric acid on brucine. If a little of the latter 
be put in a test tube and treated with nitric acid of 1*4 specific gravity 
(immersing the test tube in cold water to moderate the action), the red 
colour is produced. On spectroscopic examination of the blood-red 
liquid a broad, well-marked absorption band is seen, the centre of which 
(see p. 64) is between E and F (W.L. about 500). There is also a 
development of nitric oxide and carbon dioxide, and the formation of 
methyl nitrite, oxalic acid, and kakotelin (C 23 H 26 N 2 0 4 -f 5NH0 3 -> 
^2oH 2 2N 4 0 9 +N(CH 3 )0 2 -bC 2 H 2 0 4 -{--2NO-}-2II 2 0). o n diluting abun¬ 
dantly with water, the kakotelin separates in yellow flocks, and may be- 
