Chemical Examination of the Digitalis, fyc. 219 
vinced that it is nothing more than an extract composed of a 
great proportion of chlorophylline, much resin, a fatty mat- 
ter, and different salts of lime and potash. We arrived at these 
results as follows: The extract was dissolved in water sharp- 
ened with sulphuric acid, this precipitated a great part of the 
chlorophylline. On filtration the liquid assumed a yellow T 
colour. It was evaporated to a syrupy consistence, cold 
water added and the whole filtered. This operation was re- 
peated until the whole of the chlorophylline was separated, 
the fluid then became of a pale yellow colour. This liquid 
was again evaporated, and permitted to cool, when a brown 
substance was obtained, having all the properties of the resins. 
This resin, which was deposited at the bottom of the vessel, 
contained a fatty matter which was removed by means of ether. 
On the surface of the fluid was a beautifully crystallized sub- 
stance, which proved to be sulphate of lime, after all this had 
been removed by several crystallizations, a small quantity of 
sulphate of potash remained in solution. 
M. Leroyer states that M. Prevost had seen crystals of 
digitaline with a magnifying glass. Nothing, however, proves 
that these were really crystals of digitaline ; on the contrary, 
we are convinced that they were nothing more than salts of 
lime and potash. A microscopic examination is not enough; 
the substance itself must be studied ; if this had been done by 
M. Leroyer, he would have seen that this body was not a 
vegetable but a mineral substance. 
The properties ascribed by M. Leroyer to his digitaline, 
are additional proof of our assertions; he says it attracts mois- 
ture from the air. When we reflect that it contains salts of 
potash and hydro-chlorate of lime, this property is not aston- 
ishing. 
We need scarcely add that the digitaline of M. Planiava is 
only an extract composed of nearly the same principles as 
that of M. Leroyer. 
It results from the above, that digitaline has not yet been 
obtained. That of M. Leroyer is a compound of chlorophyl- 
line, resin, a fatty matter, and some salts of lime and potash. 
That the method of M. Pauquy furnishes no product. 
