ON LOBELINA. 
9 
then mixed with purified animal charcoal, boiled, saturated 
with magnesia, and filtered. This solution was then agitated 
with ether until the lobelina was removed, and the ethereal so- 
lution separated and allowed to evaporate. 
As thus obtained, lobelina has a light yellow color, and some- 
what aromatic odor. It is lighter than water,* and when 
dropped into that fluid rises to its surface, spreads out like a 
drop of oil, and gradually dissolves without agitation, forming 
a transparent solution. If the process of purification were re- 
peated, there is little doubt but that the lobelina would be ob- 
tained perfectly colorless. 
Lobelina, in solution, is precipitated instantly as a white bi- 
tannate by tannic acid, and is not disturbed at all by gallic 
acid, corresponding in this particular with the other ve- 
getable alkalies. Its solution forms a white precipitate with 
nitrate of silver, which becomes deep brown by standing; per- 
sulphate of iron does not at first affect the transparency of its 
solution, but gradually a brown precipitate falls ; acetate of 
lead causes a white precipitate ; bichloride of mercury does 
not produce any change. 
When lobelina is placed in contact with concentrated nitric 
or hydrochloric acids, it is merely dissolved, without under- 
going any change, and when diluted the acrimony is found un- 
impaired; but when acted on by sulphuric acid it is first black- 
ened, then dissolved, and loses its acrid taste. 
Lobelina is soluble in water, but not near as readily as in al- 
cohol andether. When its alcoholic solution is poured into water 
the mixture is at first cloudy, but by agitation it gradually be- 
comes transparent. Ether readily removes lobelina from its 
aqueous solution. Oil of turpentine, and oil of sweet almonds, 
also hold it in solution when allowed to remain in contact with 
it for a short time. 
Salts of lobelina. — A portion of lobelina was dissolved in 
water, and hydrochloric acid gradually added, until the solu- 
tion ceased to have an alkaline reaction. The solution was 
* Lobelina was formerly stated to be rather heavier than water, which 
was owing to the impure state in which it was obtained. 
VOL. VII. — NO. I. 2 
