34Q 
Veratrum  Viride. 
Am.  Jour.  Pharnu 
July,  1879. 
acid,  filtered  and  precipitated.  Weight  of  mixed  alkaloids  obtained^ 
C9  grain.    The  alkaloids,  separated  as  before,  gave 
Nitrate  of  jervia,  .  .  .  .  o*i  grain. 
Other  alkaloids,  ....  0.8 
The  total  amount  of  alkaloids  obtained  from  the  extract  representing 
one  pound  of  root,  was 
From  soft  extract,  ....  i2'4  grains. 
Resin  from  soft  extract,  .  .  .  10 
Hard  resin,        .....  24*2 
Total  yield  of  mixed  alkaloids,         .  .  46-6 
When  separated,  the  alkaloids  represented 
From  soft  extract.  Resin  from  soft  extract.  Hard  resin.. 
Nitrate  of  jervia,  79  grains.  8*4  grains,  14.9  grains*. 
Other  alkaloids,  3*2  i*6  6-2 
Total  amount  of  nitrate  of  jervia,  .  .  .  31*2  grains. 
"  other  alkaloids,  .  .  ii'o 
422 
Loss,  .....  4.4 
46-6 
The  loss  of  over  10  per  cent,  which  occurred  in  separating  the- 
alkaloids  is  due  both  to  separation  of  foreign  matter  and  loss  in  manipu- 
lation. 
An  examination  under  the  microscope  of  the  alkaloids,  after  separa- 
tion of  the  jervia,  was  made  by  allowing  a  drop  of  their  alcoholic 
solution  to  evaporate  on  a  glass  slide.  Crystalline  forms  were  found, 
differing  in  form  from  jervia,  indicating  the  probable  presence  of  another 
alkaloid  which  crystallizes  from  its  alcoholic  solution.  When  further 
purified  by  solution  in  ether,  dissolving  the  ether  product  in  acetic  acid 
and  precipitating  by  nitrate  of  potassium  until  a  solution  containing  1 
part  in  200  of  acetic  solution  was  no  longer  disturbed  by  addition  of 
the  nitrate,  then  precipitating  the  solution  at  I50°F.  by  caustic  soda,  a 
product  representing  five  per  cent,  of  the  mixed  alkaloids  was  obtained. 
Saponification  of  the  Resin  by  Lime. — One  pound  avoirdupois  of  the 
hard  resin  was  powdered  and  rubbed  into  a  smooth  paste  with  1  pound 
of  lime  previously  slaked.  Sufficient  water  was  added  and  the  mix- 
ture boiled  for  a  few  minutes.  After  evaporation  and  drying  on  a 
steam-bath,  the  mass  was  powdered  and  exhausted  with  three  gallons, 
of  hot  alcohol.    The  product  left  on  distillation  of  the  alcohol  was 
