360  Analytical  Researches  and  Investigations.  |  ^"ji?y ''ifga*'^™" 
and,  after  having  rendered  the  mixture  homogeneous  by  prolonged 
agitation,  it  is  distilled  by  the  aid  of  steam,  under  a  pressure  of  about 
3  atmospheres.  The  distillation  is  continued  as  long  as  the  distilled 
liquid  has  an  alkaline  reaction. 
From  the  obtained  product  the  cicutine  separates  in  an  oily  condi- 
tion when  ripe  fruits  have  been  employed,  and  more  fluid  when 
derived  from  less  mature  fruits.  It  is  then  neutralized  by  hydro- 
chloric acid,  evaporated  to  the  consistence  of  syrup,  the  residue  agi- 
tated with  twice  its  volume  of  strong  alcohol,  and  the  precipitated 
chloride  of  ammonium  separated.  After  the  removal  of  the  alcohol 
by  means  of  a  water-bath  an  equivalent  quantity  of  caustic  soda  is 
added,  and  the  mixture  agitated  with  ether,  which  dissolves  the 
impure  conicine.  Under  the  influence  of  energetic  refrigeration  the 
ethereal  liquid  separates  long  needles  of  conhydrine.  The  last-men- 
tioned principle  passes  over  by  distillation  with  ether,  and  may  be 
thus  collected,  while  the  conicine  remains  behind. 
Another  method  of  preparation  consists  in  exhausting  the  fruits 
with  water  acidulated  with  acetic  acid,  and  in  evaporating  the 
extract  in  a  vacuum  to  the  consistence  of  a  syrup.  To  the  product 
magnesia  is  then  added,  and  the  whole  agitated  with  ether.  By  this 
method  a  little  less  alkaloid  is  obtained,  but  it  is  more  pure,  and 
yields  more  readily  crystallizable  salts. 
By  the  two  methods  the  alkali  which  remains  after  the  distilla- 
tion of  the  ether  is  dried  by  carbonate  of  potassium,  and  distilled 
from  an  air-bath ;  10  parts  in  100  pass  over  between  110°  and  168°C., 
60  parts  in  100  between  168°  and  169°C.,  which  is  the  pure  coni- 
cine, and  20  parts  in  100  between  169°  and  180°C. 
Pure  conicine  is  colorless  and  remains  colorless  by  exposure  to 
light.  Its  specific  gravity  is  0'886.  It  dissolves  in  the  cold  one  quar- 
ter of  its  weight  of  water,  and  liberates  the  same  again  on  heating ;  it 
is  itself  soluble  in  90  parts  of  water. 
The  author  has  studied,  in  connection  with  other  chemists,  the  hydro- 
chlorate  and  hydrohromate  of  conicine;  these  two  salts  are  anhydrous, 
isomorphous,  and  crystallize  in  right  rhombic  prisms. 
The  hydriodate  of  conicine  is  anhydrous;  it  can  only  be  obtained  crys- 
talline with  perfectly  pure  hydriodic  acid,  which  is  entirely  free  from 
iron.  This  salt  crystallizes,  by  slow  evaporation,  in  large  flat  needles, 
unalterable  by  exposure  to  light  and  air.    It  also  forms  oblique  rhom- 
