Chemical Science. 483 



which may be obtained in very white and silky crystals. The fluid 

 left after the separation of the quinia, contains a kinate of lime 

 almost pure. Being evaporated until of the consistence of syrup, 

 it readily crystallizes in a mass, which may then be purified by 

 recrystallization. The kinate of lime maybe precipitated by means 

 of alcohol, and then be crystallized after solution in water or diluted 

 alcohol ; or, by adding oxalic acid drop by drop, according to the 

 directions of M. Vauquelin, the lime may be separated and kinic 

 acid obtained. Two thirds of the quinia or cinchonia in a specimen 

 of bark may be thus separated, and with such facility as to offer a 

 ready test of the presence of these alkalies in any wood or bark 

 submitted to examination. — Atin» de Chimie, xxxv., 166. 



30. Pure Narcotine prepared. — The following process is that 

 practised by Mr. Carpenter. Digest one ounce of coarsely pow- 

 dered opium in one pint of ether for ten days, frequently submitting 

 it to ebullition in a water bath ; separate the ether and add fresh 

 portions until the opium is exhausted ; place the ethereal solution 

 in a wide-mouthed bottle, and, covering the mouth with bibulous 

 paper, allow the ether to evaporate spontaneously, but slowly ; as 

 the fluid diminishes, it leaves the sides of the bottle coated with 

 crystals of narcotine ; as the solution becomes more dense, the 

 crystals enlarge and accumulate, and the bottom of the vessel iis 

 covered with large transparent crystals, accompanied with a brown 

 viscid liquor and extract, which contains an acid resin, caoutchouc, 

 &c. Separate these substances and wash the crystals in successive 

 portions of cold ether to remove the extract ; then dissolve them 

 in warm ether, and evaporate slowly as before ; beautiful snow 

 white crystals of pure narcotine will be obtained : those on the sides 

 of the vessel assume plumose and arborescent forms; they enlarge 

 as the solution becomes more concentrated, and the bottom of the 

 bottle becomes covered with pure narcotine, assuming the rhom- 

 boidal prismatic form with some modifications of maccled crystals. 

 The crystals towards the bottom are transparent, but the most 

 minute at the top are opaque and snow white. By picking out the 

 largest and most regular crystals, ugain dissolving and evaporating, 

 and repeating the same process, each time selecting the largest and 

 best crystals, some were obtained the eighth of an inch in diameter, 

 and still larger might be produced by similar operations. — SillimarVs 

 Jour.f xiii, 27. 



31. Uncertain Nature of Jalapia. — Relative to Mr. Hume's 

 supposed vegeto-alkali Jalapia^ M. Pelletier says it is nothing 

 more than a mixture of sulphate of lime and sulphate of ammonia. — 

 JoxM-. de Pharmacie, 



32. Preparation of pure Mdlitic Acid, by M. Wohler. — Concen- 

 trated solution of carbonate of ammonia was poured upon finely 

 pulverised mellite, and boiled until the excess of ammonia was 



