NEW  CINCHONA  ALKALOIDS. 
173 
of  the  crystallized  nitrate  so  dissolved.    The  reaction  is  repre- 
sented by  the  following  formula  : — 
3(Bi2O3,3NO,,10HO)+Aq=Bi2O33NO,,2(Bi2O3.3HO)+6NO5 
-[-24HO+Aq. 
10  grames  of  the  crystallized  nitrate  should  yield  6'3  grammes 
of  the  subnitrate,  but  only  two-thirds  of  this  quantity  are  ob- 
tained. The  rest  of  the  bismuth,  which  remains  in  the  mother 
liquors  in  the  state  of  subnitrate,  and  not  as  oxide,  may  be  pre- 
cipitated by  carbonate  of  ammonia.  The  salt  precipitated  by 
water,  gives,  on  analysis,  16-08  of  nitric  acid,  and  76-8  of 
oxide  of  bismuth.  That  precipitated  by  ammonia  contains  80 
per  cent,  of  oxide  of  bismuth.  The  two  products  differ  slightly. 
The  second,  when  too  much  ammonia  has  not  been  used,  has  an 
evident  crystalline  texture,  a  faintly  acid  taste,  and  reddens 
litmus.  The  first  is  crystallized,  and  is  slightly  soluble  in 
water ;  it  reddens  litmus  strongly  and  has  a  decided  acid  taste. 
The  authors  add,  that  all  subnitrate  of  bismuth  should  be  re- 
jected which  is  in  the  form  of  an  amorphous  powder,  is  without 
taste,  and  does  not  act  on  litmus.  M.  St.  Pierre  recommends 
that,  to  free  bismuth  from  arsenic,  from  2-5  to  5  per  cent,  zinc 
should  be  added,  and  the  whole  heated  strongly  for  an  hour,  a 
piece  of  charcoal  being  placed  in  the  crucible  to  prevent  the 
oxidation  of  the  zinc.  After  this  treatment  the  bismuth  will 
contain  neither  arsenic  nor  zinc. — CJiem.  New%^  London,  Jan. 
mh,  1861. 
NEW  CINCHONA  ALKALOID. 
Schwabe  {Arehiv  der  Pharmacie,  bd.  cii.  s.  273)  has  extract- 
ed from  quinoidine  a  new  alkaloid  which  he  calls  jS-cinchonine. 
To  obtain  it,  quinoidine  is  dissolved  in  dilute  hydrochloric  acid, 
then  precipitated  with  ammonia ;  the  precipitate  is  washed  first 
with  cold,  then  with  hot  water  ;  afterwards  dried  and  subsequent- 
ly treated  with  cold  alcohol,  which  in  about  twenty-four  hours 
gives  a  brown  tincture.  The  residue  is  exhausted  successively 
with  alcohol  and  then  with  water,  and  afterwards  dissolved  in 
dilute  sulphuric  acid.  This  solution  is  warmed,  and,  while  hot, 
a  solution  of  carbonate  of  soda  is  added  until  a  crystalline  pel- 
licle forms.    It  is  then  set  aside  to  cool,  whereupon  crystals  of 
