156 VEGETABLE PRODUCTS. 



Narcotin is another element of Opium, and is said to be nearly 

 inert, medicinally. 



Codein is a third compound in Opium ; resembles morphiu 

 in its effects, and is a strong base. 



Emetin^ from Ipecacuanha, is the active portion of the Ipecac, 

 producing vomiting in very small doses. 



Cinchonin, Ng, C^o, H24, Oj, is foun( 

 Cinchona bark. Quinine is produced from the Cinchona Jiava, 

 brought from the v;est coast of South America. It is the active 

 principle in the cinchona bark, and is used most extensively as 

 a tonic when such an effect is to be produced promptly. 



Piperin is the active principle of pepper, and is sometimes 

 used in medicine. 



304. Coloring matters. These exist in great varieties in 

 plants, and are very different in character and constitution. 



Indigo. NCig, H5, Oj. This is one of the most durable 

 vegetable colors. It is yielded by several plants. It occurs in 

 the cells in a colorless state, and is converted into blue Indigo 

 by absorbing oxygen from the air. Several species of the 

 Indigofera, Galega tinctoria, Nerium tinctorium. Polygonum 

 tinctorium, Asclepias tingeus, and several species of Orchis, 

 yield Indigo. By allowing the full flowering plant to lie in a 

 tub or vat covered with water till it ferments, we obtain a 

 yellowish solution ; by adding a little limewater, and exposing 

 it to the air, the Indigo is deposited. Fuming sulphuric acid 

 dissolves Indigo, and this solution is used by the manufac- 

 turers. 



Chlorophyl. NCig, Ho, Og. All the green parts of plants 

 owe their color to chlorophyl. Digest fresh leaves with ether, 

 evaporate and dissolve the residue by absolute alcohol, evapo- 

 rate again, and digest the residue in concentrated hydrochloric 

 acid. By diluting this solution, the chlorophyl is deposited in 

 a deep-green powder. Soluble in sulphuric acid, yielding a 

 beautiful green color. 



Xanthophyl is the yellow coloring matter in the leaves of 

 autumn. It is a dark yellow fat. Insoluble in water. Soluble 

 in ether and pure alkalies. 



Erythrophyl. This is the coloring matter of red leaves and 

 red fruit. Soluble in water. Alkalies give it a grass-green 

 color, which acids turn again to red. 



Coloring matter of flowers we have treated of in color of 

 flowers. The substance of the blue series is soluble in water 



304. What is said of coloring matter ? Constitution of indigo ? How 

 does it occur ? How obtained i What is chlorophyl i Ho'.v obtained 

 What is xanthophyl ? Erythrophyl ? 



