It  is  extracted  from  the  seeds  by  a  difficult  and  tedious  process,
and  may  also  be  obtained,  although  with  much  loss,  by  distillation
with  potash,  like  conicine.  It  is  very  prone  to  decomposition
when  in  contact  with  mineral  alkalies.  It  crystallises,  when
pure,  in  radiated  groups  of  needles,  but  sometimes  forms  a  viscid
amorphous  mass.  When  moist  it  has  a  stupefying  smell  like  that
of  tobacco.  It  is  very  poisonous,  causing,  like  coniine,  tetanic
spasms.  It  dilates  the  pupil  powerfully.  It  is  fusible  and  volatile,
but  is  partially  decomposed  when  distilled.  It  dissolves  in  water,
alcohol,  and  ether.  It  neutralises  the  acids,  forming  crystallisable
salts,  which  are  very  poisonous.  The  fact  that  it  is  volatile,  and


426  DATURINE — VERATRINE.
has  a  smell  analogous  to  that  of  nicotine,  suggest  the  idea
that  it  may  be  a  true  volatile  base,  of  the  class  of  nicotine,
representing  ammonia,  but  high  in  the  scale,  and  probably  con-
taining no  oxygen.
b.  Daturine.     This  base  is  obtained  from  the  seeds  of  Datura
Stramonium.  It  is,  in  preparation  and  properties,  very  analogous
to  hyoscyamine.     It  is,  however,  less  soluble  in  water,  and  crys-
tallises in  fine  brilliant  prisms,  from  its  alcoholic  solution.     It  is
fusible,  volatile,  and  very  poisonous,  dilating  the  pupil.     Its  salts
are  crystallisable  and  very  poisonous.     Its  precise  composition  is
unknown,   but  it  is  now  said  to  be  identical  with  atropine.
Possibly  it  may  be  only  homologous  with  that  base.
c.  Stramonine. — This  is  another  crystalline  compound  found  in
Stramonium.     It  is  crystallisable,  volatile,  soluble  in  alcohol  and
ether,  insoluble  in  water.     Its  nature  is  uncertain,  and  its  com-
position unknown.
