1. A new alkaloid hernandoline with the composition C20H25O5N has been isolated from the herb Stephania herandifolia Walp. 2. The Hofmann degradation of the methiodide of the O-methyl ether of hernandoline has given a des base acetolysis of which led to the formation of a dimethoxydiacetoxyphenanthrene. 3. It has been suggested that hernandoline is similar to alkaloids related to sinomenine and hasubanonine. © 1968 The Faraday Press, Inc.