Two or more methine bridges can overlap, forming a chain or ring of carbon atoms connected by alternating single and double bonds, as in piperylene , or the compound
Every carbon atom in this molecule is a methine carbon atom, except for three; two that are attached to the two nitrogen atoms and not to any hydrogen atoms, and the carbon attached to the nitrogen atom, which is attached to two hydrogen atoms (far right). There is a five-carbon-atom poly-methine chain in the center of this molecule.  
Chains of alternating single and double bonds often form conjugated systems. When closed, as in benzene , they often give aromatic character to the compound.