Summary Four alkaloids have been isolated from the skin gland of the Feuer- and Alpensalamander (Salamandra maculosa andatra Laur.). The structure, stereochemistry and absolute configuration of the principal alkaloid, samandarin, have been elucidated by chemical, optical, and X-ray-crystallographic methods. The basic structure of samandarin is derived from 5-androstan by the insertion between C-2 and C-3 of ring A of an NH group which, along with an oxygen bridge between C-1 and C-3, constitutes an oxazolidine ring; at C16 there is a-hydroxyl group. By virtue of its origin and constitution samandarin occupies a unique position among alkaloids.Nach der am 15. Juni 1960 in der Aula der Universität Zürich gehaltenen zweitenPaul-Karrer-Vorlesung. Der Vortrag ist zum Teil gekürzt, Ergebnisse der letzten Zeit sind in die vorliegende Fassung eingearbeitet worden.