NOTICE OF CHELIDONINE AND PIRROPINE. 329 
heat, on which the pirropine crystallizes with a little chelido- 
nine, in yellow plates, and a part is deposited on the sides of 
the vessel in blackish discs. 
It is well to remark, that we should not operate on a very 
small quantity of the root, because the proportion of pirropine 
is very small. The greater part shows itself with an aqueous 
or resinous extractive; this latter dissolves in weak acids and 
is precipitable by the alkalies, but is not crystallizable ; it is 
combined more particularly with the soft resin, and forms 
with it, together with chlorophylle and a fatty matter, so inti- 
mate a union that it is difficult to separate them. It appears 
that pirropine is found especially in the old roots. In the 
root and whole of the young plant, in the yellow lactescent 
juice, it is particularly united with aqueous extractive. 
Properties of Chelidonine. 
Chelidonine crystallizes partly in tables and partly in 
cubes, and its variations. In the crystalline state it dis- 
solves with difficulty in alcohol and in hot ether; from which 
it crystallizes on cooling. Concentrated acids, even with heat, 
act slightly upon it; nitric acid colors it yellow, and sulphuric 
black. Weak acids form with it colorless salts, which readily 
crystallize, and have an astringent and very bitter taste. Che- 
lidonine dissolves easily in the fixed and volatile oils, by the 
aid of heat, and the solutions have a bitter taste. 
Its alcoholic solution exhibits an alkaline reaction. If to a 
solution of the acetate of chelidonine, tincture of galls, or so- 
lution of subacetate of lead be added, abundant white precipi- 
tates are produced. Tincture of iodine produces a precipitate 
the color of kermes. Chromate of potassa precipitates it of a 
deep yellow, and chloride of gold of an obscure reddish yel- 
low; the alkalies white, &c. 
Properties of Pirropine. 
Pirropine crystallizes in stars formed by the union of color- 
less, transparent prisms. By cooling, they lose their trans^ 
VOL. VI. — NO. IV. 42 
