DEPORTMENT  OP  ALKALOIDS  WITH  REAGENTS,  ETC.  551 
8.  Addition  of  chlorine  water  to  the  solution  of  a  salt  of 
brucia  imparts  to  the  fluid  a  fine  bright  red  tint ;  if  ammonia  is 
then  added,  the  red  color  changes  to  yellowish-brown. 
9.  Sulpho  cyanide  of  potassium  produces  in  concentrated  solu- 
tions of  salts  of  brucia  immediately,  in  dilute  solutions  after 
some  time,  a  granular  crystalline  precipitate,  which,  when  viewed 
under  the  microscope,  appears  composed  of  various  aggregated 
polyhedral  crystalline  grains.  Friction  applied  to  the  sides  of 
the  vessel  promotes  the  separation  of  the  precipitate. 
10.  Chloride  of  mercury  also  produces  a  white  granular  pre- 
cipitate, which,  when  viewed  under  the  microscope,  appears  com- 
posed of  small  roundish  crystalline  grains. 
c.  Veratria,  or  Veratrine  (C64  H52  N2  016)  Ve. 
1.  Veratria  appears  in  the  form  of  small  prismatic  crystals, 
which  acquire  a  porcelain-like  look  in  the  air,  or  as  a  white  or 
yellowish-white  powder  of  acrid  and  burning,  but  not  bitter 
taste ;  it  is  exceedingly  poisonous.  Veratria  acts  with  great 
energy  upon  the  membranes  of  the  nose ;  even  the  most  minute 
quantity  of  the  powder  excites  the  most  violent  sneezing.  It  is 
insoluble  in  water ;  in  alcohol  it  dissolves  readily,  but  more 
sparingly  in  ether.  At  239°  Fan.  it  fuses  like  wax,  and  solidi- 
fies upon  cooling  to  a  transparent  yellow  mass. 
2.  Veratria  neutralizes  acids  completely.  Some  salts  of 
veratria  are  crystallizable,  others  dry  up  to  a  gummy  mass. 
They  are  soluble  in  water,  and  have  an  acrid  and  burning  taste. 
3.  Potassa,  ammonia,  and  the  mono-carbonates  of  the  alkalies 
produce  in  solutions  of  salts  of  veratria  a  flocculent  white  pre- 
cipitate, which,  viewed  under  the  microscope,  immediately  after 
precipitation,  does  not  appear  crystalline.  After  the  lapse  of  a 
few  minutes,  however,  it  alters  its  appearance,  and  small  scat- 
tered clusters  of  short  prismatic  crystals  are  observed,  instead  of 
the  original  coagulated  flakes,  The  precipitate  does  not  redis- 
solve  in  an  excess  of  potassa  or  of  carbonate  of  potassa.  It  is 
slightly  soluble  in  ammonia  in  the  cold,  but  the  dissolved  portion 
separates  again  upon  application  of  heat. 
4.  With  bicarbonate  of  soda  and  bicarbonate  of  potassa  the 
