ON THE PREPARATION OF PROPYLAMINE FROM ERGOTINE. 347 
with the exception of sulphate of propylamine, which does not 
dissolve in the latter. Beautiful white crystals may, however, 
be produced from the concentrated aqueous solution by the ad- 
mixture or alcohol of eighty per cent, of strength. The salts of 
propylamine dissolved in water and treated with tannic acid, 
produce a white (flocculent) precipitate ; with chloride of mercury 
likewise a white but pulverulent precipitate : with nitrate of silver 
a white (flocculent) precipitate ; and with chloride of platinum a 
yellow precipitate (a crystalline powder.) The salts of propyla- 
mine have a strong odor of fresh ergot, much less of herring- 
pickle, and are easily decomposed by potash. 
2. The concentrated aqueous solution being mixed with a 
fourth of its volume of tincture of iodine, a considerable dark 
yellowish-brown sediment is precipitated, and the supernatant 
fluid appears dark brownish-red. But in a very short time this 
sediment diminishes considerably, the fluid gradually changes 
color, so that in about twelve hours' time there will be left but 
very little orange-colored sediment, whilst the fluid itself will ap- 
pear almost colorless. Immediately after the addition of iodine 
the very disagreeable odor of propylamine disappears, and the 
mixture acquires the odor of iodine. 
8. "When the neutral aqueous solution of sulphate of propyla- 
mine is evaporated in a water-bath it exhales a very disagreeable 
odor of herring, the solution becomes very acid, has only a weak 
odor of ergot, and all the reactions cease. If this concentrated 
solution be digested with caustic lime in a still, there comes over, 
without the aid of artificial heat, almost pure propylamine, which 
has the odor of an ammoniacal liquid, and produces all the reac- 
tions of pure propylamine. 
Now the propylamine of ergot presents the very same results, 
and it is on this account that until lately it has always been mis- 
taken for ammonia. I am convinced that it constitutes the 
odorous principle of urine, perspiration, and in the blood, and is 
often the cause of the odor which we observe in the action of 
alkaline lyes upon nitrogenous compounds. Propylamine belongs 
to the organic bases, and may be considered as the adjunct 
\Paarling~] of ammonia. I think I am justified in concluding, 
from the results of my experiments, that propylamine, combined 
with an acid, pre-exists in ergot as well as in herring-pickle, and 
