MELANIN

n. Me2l'a2n-i2n. Fr., melanine. Ger., M. The black pigment, C26H,3N, normally present in the chorioid and the skin (especially of brunettes and negroes) and occurring pathologically in the blood (see MELANJEMIA and MELANOSIS). It is insoluble in water, alcohol, ether, chloroform, and carbon disulphide, soluble in a solution of pota ium hydrate. When, as is usual, iron is present, it seems to be a transformation product of haematin. [B, 48, 93 (a, 14).] See also SULPHOM'. [s. 730]