ON LOBELIA CARDINALIS. 
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radiating from a common centre, and like the rest very soluble 
in water. 
The acetate is more soluble and less disposed to crystallize 
than either of the other salts. 
The great similarity between this principle and lobelina 
makes it a matter of some interest to be able to draw the line 
of distinction between them, so as to ascertain whether they 
are in reality but one substance, or two. 
To do this with satisfaction, it would require much larger 
quantities of the plant than has been the subject of these ex- 
periments, so that the amount of active principle would jus- 
tify a more extensive scrutiny than I have been able to make. 
The root evidently contains a greater proportion of this 
principle than the upper part of the plant, and it is probable 
that the seeds are yet more active though they have not been 
tried. Should future experiments demonstrate the identity 
of the two principles, the name is already given, but if the 
contrary, lobeliana might be a suitable cognomen. 
From the foregoing remarks the principle constituents of 
Lobelia cardinalis are gum, resin, or chlorophylle, probably 
volatile oil, fixed oil, and a peculiar alkaline principle, to 
which may be added salt of lime and potassa and lignin. 
