19 PAPAVEE EHCEAS 



about 40 per cent. At present this colouring matter has been 

 but imperfectly examined. Acids diminish its intensity, while 

 alkalies render it nearly black. By this latter character the 

 colouring matter of red poppy petals may be distinguished from 

 that of red cabbage, &c., which becomes green under the same 

 circumstances. According to Leomeier the colouring principles 

 of the petals are two acids, which he has termed rhoeadic and 

 papaveric. 



According to Chevalier, the petals contain a trace of morphia, 

 but no other chemist has succeeded in obtaining this substance 

 from them. Attfield especially, who examined them recently, 

 could not find the slightest indication of morphia. The milky 

 juice of the capsules and herb generally, however, yielded Hesse 

 a colourless cry st alii sable substance, with a weak alkaline reaction, 

 which he termed rhoeadine. The same substance may be found 

 in the ripe capsules of the opium poppy and even in opium itself. 



Medical Properties and Uses. Eed poppy petals have been 

 supposed to have, especially when fresh, very slight narcotic 

 properties, but they are now only employed for their beautiful 

 colour, which they readily communicate to water. 



The milky juice of the capsules and herb has, however, a 

 manifestly sedative action, which is probably due to rhoeadine. 



Per. Mat. Med., by B. & E., p. 939 ; Pharmacographia, p. 37 ; 

 U. S. Disp., by W. & B., p. 739 ; Ph. JL, vol. iv, 3 ser., p. 290 ; 

 Journ. de Pharm., ii, 513. 



DESCRIPTION OP PLATE. 



Drawn from a specimen collected at Leatherhead, Surrey. 



1. Transverse section of ovary. 



2. Capsule (drawn somewhat too long). 



3. Seed. 



4. Section of the same. 



(3 and 4 greatly magnified.) 



