78 REPORT—1840. 
were also examined. The danger attending these experiments is very 
great, and the poisonous effects produced by the inhalation of the 
vapour were described as dreadful. Kakodyl is produced from the 
liquor of cadet, and is extremely interesting as being a link connecting 
organic and inorganic chemistry. Professor Bunsen is engaged in 
further experiments on this subject, and has already obtained many 
new combinations. 
On the Identity of Spiroilous and Saliculous Acid. By Dr. Etr.inc. 
The oil discovered by M. Pagenstecher, and obtained by the distil- 
lation of the Spirea Ulmaria, has already attracted considerable atten- 
tion. Dr. Ettling had analysed it previously to the appearance of M. 
Piria’s valuable paper on Salicyl. The oil decomposes into two oils on 
keeping, one of which is specifically lighter, the other heavier than 
water. Dr. Ettling discovered that the latter possessed the same com- 
position as hydrated benzoic acid. The action of ammonia on the oil 
gives rise to some new interesting compounds. In order to obtain 
these compounds it is indifferent whether saliculous or spiroilous acid 
be employed. The final product of the action of ammonia upon these 
is the amide of salicyl (salicylamide). This body evidently belongs to 
the class of amides, for it does not evolve ammonia, on the addition 
either of potash or of acids. The cause of its formation is as follows: 
three atoms of saliculous acid unite with three atoms of ammonia, and 
form saliculite of ammonia, whilst three of hydrogen and oxygen com- 
bine together and form water. This salicylamide unites with copper, 
iron, and lead, forming compounds. 
On a New Method of Preparing Morphia and its Salts. 
By Dr. Monr, of Coblentz. 
The plan adopted by the author for separating morphia from narcotin 
and all other heterogeneous substances, consists in dissolving it in an 
excess of caustic lime, and precipitating it by muriate of ammonia. 
This method of precipitation is, in principle, very similar to the pre- 
cipitation of alumina from a solution of caustic potash. The process 
is as follows:—The opium is boiled in water, in which it readily dis- 
solves; the decoction is strained through a linen cloth, and the dregs 
are pressed; this operation of boiling and straining is repeated twice 
on the same quantity of opium, and the solution of the whole concen- 
trated until its weight is four times that of the opium employed. The 
concentrated solution is, while still warm, mixed with milk of lime, 
prepared with a quantity of dry lime equal to the fourth part of the 
weight of the opium. The mixture is heated till it boils, and is filtered 
through linen while hot. ‘The filtered liquor has a light brown yellow 
colour. While still hot it is mixed with pulverized sal-ammoniac in 
excess; the lime is saturated with muriatic acid, ammonia is set free, 
—— ee ee e_e 
ict e ee 
and the morphia is precipitated. When the solution is greatly concen- — 
