106 
ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. 
with sulphuric ether, at sixty Baume, as in the last experi- 
ment, which, after agitation with carbonate of potassa to 
remove any aqueous matter which might adhere, was eva- 
porated. The product was of a light brown colour, having all 
the properties characteristic of that in experiment 10. This 
is undoubtedly the active portion of the plant, and from its 
alkaline nature, deserves the title of Lohelina. 
Lobelina is of a light brown colour, has the consistence of 
thick honey, a strong, somewhat aromatic odour, and a highly 
acrid, burning, nauseous, taste, which is very permanent and 
irritating, to the throat. It is soluble in water, very soluble 
in alcohol and ether, and slightly soluble in the fixed oils and 
turpentine. Its specific gravity is rather more than that of 
water, as it sinks slowly in that fluid. Lobelina has a deci- 
ded alkaline reaction, saturates acids, and with them forms 
crystallizable salts. All its combinations with acids are void 
of odour, and in the plant it is most probably combined with 
gallic acid. When a small quantity is put upon the end of 
a glass rod, and a lighted taper applied, it inflames (though 
not very readily,) giving off copious white smoke. 
Experiment 12. — Lobelina was combined with sulphuric, 
nitric, hydro-chloric, acetic, tartaric, oxalic, and gallic, acids, 
with all of which it formed crystallizable salts, except the 
acetic. 
The sulphate is in granulated crystals, appearing through 
the microscope of a prismatic form, possessed of all the acri- 
mony of its base, but no odour. It is soluble in alcohol, and 
very soluble in water. 
The nitrate crystallizes in flat tabular formations, is of a 
light brown colour, and has no odour, but is very soluble in 
water and alcohol. The muriate crystallizes in radiating 
needles of a yellow brown colour, and dissolves readily in 
alcohol and water. 
The acetate does not crystallize, but remains in a dark 
brown syrupy form, and is more soluble in water than either 
of the others. This circumstance accounts for the fact, that 
diluted acetic acid is the best menstruum for extracting Lo- 
