Basic fuchsin is a mixture of three chemically related dyes. However, the proportion of each dye in the mixture varies. Due to this, samples of basic fuchsin may not be suitable for particular purposes. If using it for making Schiff's reagent, a batch which has a high proportion of pararosanilin is required, as it is this component that makes the best Schiff's reagent. Some companies specify selected batches as being suitable for making Schiff's reagent, or pararosanilin may be purchased by name. The other dyes which may be in the mixture are rosanilin and magenta II.