ON ARUM TRIPHYLLUM. 
87 
property of communicating an intense red color to several 
alkaline solutions, particularly solution of ammonia, which 
bears a strong analogy to that of orcine and erythrine. 
When the seeds, deprived of their pericarp, are macerated 
in solution of ammonia without contact of the atmosphere, 
no change takes place in their appearance; but if atmos- 
pheric air or oxygen be present, they soon become dark 
colored, and the solution gradually acquires an intense red 
hue. These are the precise conditions requisite for con- 
verting orcine, the crystalline substance existing in the 
Lichen dealbata, into orceine, the crimson coloring matter 
of Archil, in a pure state. 
With these ideas in view, a portion of the bruised seeds 
was boiled in alcohol, the alcoholic liquid evaporated to 
dryness, and the product thus obtained treated with cold 
water until it ceased to be dissolved. The aqueous solution, 
thus obtained, was carefully evaporated to the proper con- 
sistence, and set. aside. The fluid was gradually converted, 
by spontaneous evaporation, into a transparent varnish, with- 
out the slightest evidence of crystallization. 
When this substance is dissolved in solution of ammonia 
and exposed to the air, the solution gradually assumes a 
deep red color. The addition of acetic acid to it, after re- 
moving the excess of ammonia by heat, precipitates the 
coloring matter in red flocks, which redissolve in an ammo- 
niacal solution. It is also wholly precipitated by chloride 
of tin, nitrate of mercury, sulphate of zinc, acetate of lead, 
and chloride of barium, forming compounds having various 
shades of brown; sulphuric acid also precipitates it. 
By suffering the deep red arnmoniacal solution to evapo- 
rate, a dark colored extract-like matter is obtained, which 
is but partially soluble in water, to which it communicates 
a reddish brown tint, but is redissolved by solution of am- 
monia. 
The seeds, when treated with a solution of carbonate of 
soda or caustic potassa, yield a similar coloring matter. 
