470 Scientific Intelligence. [June, 



So that by the heat two atoms of carbon and nine atoms of 

 hydrogen are removed, while the atoms of oxygen are doubled. 

 From this we see that a considerable proportion of oil must have 

 beeii driveii off by the heat. 



VIII. Morphia. 



I find the easiest method of obtaining morphia in a state of 

 purity is the following: Into a strong infusion of opium pour 

 caustic ammonia. Separate the brownish-white precipitate by 

 the filter. Evaporate the infusion to about one-sixth of its 

 volume, and mix the concentrated liquid with more ammonia. 

 A new deposit of impure morphia is obtained. Let the whole of 

 this deposit be collected on the filter, and washed with cold 

 water. When well drained, pour a little alcohol on it, and let 

 the alcohohc liquid pass through the filter. It will carry off a 

 good deal of the colouring matter, and very little of the morphia. 

 Dissolve the impure morphia thus obtained in acetic acid, and 

 mix the solution, which has a very deep-brown colour, with a 

 sufficient quantity of ivory black. This mixture is to be fre- 

 quently agitated for 24 hours, and then thrown upon the filter. 

 The hquid passes through quite colourless. If ammonia be now 

 dropped into it, pure morphia falls in the state of a white powder. 

 If we dissolve this precipitate in alcohol, and evaporate that 

 liquid slowly, we obtain the moi-phia in pretty regular crj^stals. 

 It is perfectly white, has a pearly lustre, is destitute of smell, 

 but has an intensely bitter taste, and the shape of the crystals 

 in all my trials was a four-sided rectangular prism. 



When one grain of pure morphia is passed slowly through red- 

 hot peroxide of coppei", it is converted entirely into carbonic acid 

 and water. The water obtained in four successive experiments 

 was always 0*5 gr. The carbonic acid gas amounted to 3*58 

 cubic inches, supposing the barometer to stand at 30 inches, 

 jind the thermometer at 60°. 



Now 0*5 gr. water contains 0*0555 gr. hydrogen 



3*58 cubic inches of car. acid 0*4528 gr. carbon 



Total = 0*5083 



There is wanting 0*4917 gr. to make up the original weight of 

 the morphia. This deficiency must be owing to the morphia 

 containing a quantity of oxygen equal to it in weight. 



It follows, from the preceding data, that the constituents of 

 iuorphin are as follows : 



Hydrogen , 0*0555 



Carbon 0*4528 



Oxygen 0*4917 



1*0000 



Now when these weights are changed into volumes, they 

 amount vcrv nearlv to 



