ClIEMISTKV. 527 



Iodide of Bismuth and Potassium as a Reagent for Alkaloids. — F. Man- 

 gini prepares tliis reagent by mixing 3 parts of iodide of potassium with 

 IG of iodide of bismuth (liquid) and 3 parts of hydrochloric acid. Thus 

 prepared it is not de( omposed by water and gives characteristic phe- 

 nomena with many alkaloids. 



Strychnine, a light-yellow precipitate, limpid solution; after stand- 

 ing the precipitate turns dark yellow. One part of strj^chnine in 500,000 

 of water can be detected. 



Brucine, a golden-yellow silky precipitate becoming lighter in color. 



Morphine, a reddish-yellow precipitate disappearing after some days, 

 when the liquid becomes canary-yellow. 



Codeine, a yellowish-red precipitate turning brick-red on standing. 



Narceine, a light-yellow precipitate remaining a long time suspended 

 in the liquid; it turns reddish-yellow on standing. 



Atropine, a silky precipitate, which settles as a reddish-yellow powder; 

 on standing the precipitate turns canary-yellow and slowly dissolves, 

 coloring the liquid golden yellow. 



Aconitine, a flaky precipitate, which settles as a chrome-yellow jww- 

 der; no change on standing. 



Nicotine, a red pulverulent precipitate, becoming reddish yellow. 



Conicine, a red pulverulent precipitate of a more intense color than 

 the preceding, and becoming dirty white on standing. 



Solanine, a golden-yellow precipitate forming slowlj', and turning 

 darker. 



Veratrine, a light-yellow precipitate, turning lighter. 



Quinine sulphate, a brick-red precipitate, turning dirty white. 



Cinchonine sulphate, like the preceding, but darker after standing. 

 {Gazzetta Chimica Italiana, 1882, i). 155, and abstract in JBw^/. 8oc. Chiiri., 

 XXXVIII, p. 670.) 



Application of Electrolysis to Dyeing. — Dr. Frederic Goppelsroeder, of 

 Muhlhausen, has extended the application of electrolysis to the form- 

 ation of coloring matters and to the art of dyeing. He has employed 

 the galvanic current in producing and simultaneously fixing dyes on 

 various textile fabrics, in preventing the oxidation of colors during the 

 printing, and in prei)aring solutions of reduced dye-stuffs, the so-called 

 blue-vats. To obtain, for example, an aniline black on a fabric or on 

 paper, the stuff is soaked in an aqueous solution of a salt of aniline (the 

 chloride is preferred), and tbeu i>laced on an unoxidizable metallic plate 

 connected with one pole of a galvanic battery or with a small dynamo 

 machine. A second metallic plate, bearing in relief the design and con- 

 nected with the other pole, is then placed upon the stuff. By pressing 

 gently and passing the current of electricity a black design is formed. 

 Medals and coins may be copied in a similar manner. By drawing Hues 

 on the paper or fabric impregnated with the andine salt, with a piece of 

 carbon forming one of the poles, or with a non-oxidizable metal, bla<jk 



