250 



simple carbonate : it admits of preparation in the dry state^ either 

 at 212°, or in vacuo ; its solution undergoing in a very slight de- 

 gree the decomposition just mentioned. Prepared by these means 

 it is a crystalline mass, which is completely soluble in alcohol, and 

 is thrown down in very fine prismatic crystals, by ether added in 

 small quantity to this solution. It is not deliquescent, but is very 

 soluble in cold water; its reaction is strongly alkaline. Its compo- 

 sition is shown by analysis to be, as expressed in the formula, 



C,, H,, N^ O, HO CO,, HO CO, = C„ H„ N, 0, CO^, H CO, 



quite analogous to the corresponding salt of potass. 



In repeating some experiments mentioned in Liebig''s Traite,* it 

 was found that the statement there made as to the existence of a 

 solid carbonate of strychnine is erroneous ; nor could carbonates of 

 morphia, codeine, papaverine, or narcotine be obtained. 



The notice of Langloisf having succeeded in forming carbonate of 

 quinine arrested the intended extension of these trials with other 

 alkaloids. 



Hydrate of Ethylo strychnine. — When moist oxide of silver is 

 added to the solid iodide, a strongly alkaline fluid of a rich purple 

 colour is obtained which yields on evaporation in vacuo a crys- 

 talline residue, containing some little carbonic acid. This is com^ 

 pletely soluble in absolute alcohol, and ether added to the fluid with 

 certain precautions, occasions the deposition of a substance in beau- 

 tiful small colourless needles, which prove on analysis to be the 

 hydrated ethylostrychnine, or oxide of ethylostrychniuni, of the for- 

 mula, 



^46 ^21 ^2 ^4 0, HO + 3 aq. ; 

 it differs from its assumed analogue, the crystallized hydrate of 

 potass, in containing an atom less of water. 



The substance cannot be freed of its water by heat, as its aqueous 

 solution is found,, by evaporation at 212°, to undergo the same change 

 as the monocarbonate, and also to absorb carbonic acid to some ex- 

 tent. It is not deliquescent, its aqueous solution has a red purple 

 colour, and an extremely bitter taste ; it precipitates barium and 

 calcium solutions partially in the heat, and the heavy metallic oxides 

 at once from their salts. It yields products by the action of chlorine, 



* Liebig. Traite de Chiraie Organique, par Gerhardt, ii. p. 630. 

 t Chem. Gazette, 18&3, p. 470. 



