15S 
PRIZE OFFERED BY THE 
number of artificial alkaloids is made known, all of which 
are derived from ammonia, and expressed by the formula 
— (A Z H 3 ) (OH m - 6 )that is to say, ammonia and carbo- 
hydrogen. Each of these alkaloids thus constitute one end of 
a series, of which the carbo-hydrogen is the initiator in 
other words, the carbo-hydrogen being given, may be 
formed by combination with ammonia into an alkaloid, 
just as we obtain from one compound radical, an alcohol, 
an aldehyde, an acid, an ether, &c, according as it is com- 
bined with variable equivalents of water and of oxygen. 
The principal processes as yet adopted for obtaining the 
alkaloids, are the following : — 
1st. The decomposition of certain ammoniacal com- 
pounds, as urea, by the decomposition of cyanide of ammo- 
nia. Furfuran from furfuramide. Amarin from hydro- 
benzamide. Melamin from sulpho-cyanuret of potas- 
sium. 
2d. By the reduction of certain nitrogenized com- 
pounds, by sulphuretted hydrogen, or by hydro-sulphate of 
ammonia. 
Anilin is thus obtained from nitro-benzide. Toludin by 
the reduction of nitro-benzoen. Cuminin also from nitro- 
cumen. 
3d. By the distillation of certain organic matters under 
the influence of potassa ; they are : 
Quinolein, produced by the action of potassa on quinia, 
cinchonia and strychnia. Anilin, by the action of potassa 
on isatin. Conicin, by the action of potassa on the un- 
known principle of hemlock. Nicotin, by the action of 
potassa on nicotianin from tobacco. Valeramin or amyli- 
aque, produced by the action of potassa on cyanate of 
amylene. 
4th. The dry distillation of certain products. The dis- 
tillation of coal furnishes anilin, designated under the name 
kyanole. Quinalein, designated as leucol, pyrrhol, pico- 
lin, &c. 
