ON VALERIANIC ACID. 
197 
The aqueous solution of the acid dissolves the quinine with 
great readiness to the amount of 2 equiv. If, during the 
concentration, the temperature exceed 122°, oily patches 
are formed, which solidify on cooling to amorphous resinous 
masses, contain less water than the crystallized salt, and are 
scarcely soluble in water. The salt crystallizes in colour- 
less rhomboidal tablets, with a slight mother-of-pearl lustre, 
or in white opake radiately-grouped needles, has a faint 
odour of valerianic acid and a very bitter taste. It is not 
altered by exposure to the air, becomes tenacious when 
heated, melts to a colourless liquid, and is then converted 
into the above-described hydrate. When heated more 
strongly, it gives off white vapours, takes fire and burns 
without leaving any residue. It dissolves in 110 parts cold, 
40 parts boiling water; in 6 parts cold, and in equal parts 
of boiling alcohol of 0.863 spec, grav.; likewise in aether. 
All its solutions have a neutral reaction. The amorphous 
hydrate scarcely dissolves in 1000 parts water; it however 
imparts to it a bitter taste. In alcohol and aether it dissolves 
just as easily as the crystallized salt. 20 grs. of the crys- 
tals dissolved in water gave, on treatment with a solution 
of caustic soda, 10.84 hydrate of quinine = 10.271 quinine. 
The alkaline solution was saturated with carbonic acid, 
and evaporated to dryness. From this residue alcohol of 
0.833 spec. grav. dissolved out 4.0 grs. valerianate of soda. 
The composition of the salt is therefore — 
Found. Equiv. Calculated. 
Quinine 51.355 2 51.411 
Valerianic acid 14.980 1 14.719 
Water 33.665 24 33.870 
The resinous body separated by boiling the aqueous so- 
lution was reduced to a fine powder and dried at a gentle 
heat. Treated in the above manner, the salt gave — 
Quinine 71.S55 2 71.629 
Valerianic acid 20.225 1 20.505 
Water 79 20 4 6.S60 
VOL. xi — no. in. IS 
