1824.] Scientific Intelligence. 315 



MM. Dumas and Pelletier find its constituents to be: 



Carbon 7502 



Azote 8-4.5 



Hydrogen 6 - 66 



Oxygen 10*43 



100-56 



The differences in the proportions of azote and oxygen are very 

 considerable. 



In the analysis of morphia, the agreement is much greater than 

 could have been expected from the great differences noticed in cin- 

 chonia and quina. Mr. Brande gives as the elements, 



Carbon 72-0 



Azote 5 5 



Hydrogen 5'5 



Oxygen 17'0 



1000 



while MM. Dumas and Pelletier state its composition to be: 



Carbon 72-02 



Azote 5-53 



Hydrogen 7*01 



Oxygen 14 # 84 



9940 



According to Mr. Bussey {Annals, N. S. vi. 229) ,morphiais composed of 



Carbon 690 



Azote 4-5 



Hydrogen 6 5 



Oxygen 20-0 



100-0 



In this analysis there is a difference of more than five per cent, in 

 the quantity of oxygen compared with that in the last quoted; but 

 while MM. Dumas and Pelletier differ from Mr. Brande in assigning 

 nearly eight per cent, of oxygen to cinchonia, they and M. Bussey 

 differ from Dr. Thomson in stating azote to be one of the constituents 

 of morphia, and, according to him, it is composed of 



Carbon 44-72 



Hydrogen 559 



Oxygen 49*69 



100-00 



From the different statements which have been thus made with 

 respect to the composition of these vegetable alkalies, it appears pro- 

 ble, either that different substances have been employed under the 

 aame name, or that impurity must have been in some cases mixed with 

 them ; if the difference existed as to the quantity of any other element 

 instead of the presence of azote, it might, perhaps, be referred to moist- 

 ure, or water of crystallization ; but as the case stands, further experi- 

 ments are necessary. 



