206 Miscellanies. 
J. Buyru (Chem. Soc. Mem. Vol. 2, p. 163) has also shown, that a 
similar decomposition takes place by the action of the bichloride of pla- 
tinum upon narcotine, having obtained the opianic acid and cotarnine. 
This fact accounts for the different formule for narcotine given by vari- 
ous authors, the atomic weight being estimated from the double chloride 
of platinum and narcotine, which, unless prepared with great care, is 
likely to undergo partial decomposition. The following appears to be 
the correct formula for narcotine, C*#® H?5 NO14. The other products 
furnished by the reaction of bichloride of platinum upon the alkaloid, 
are hempinic acid, C1°H1°O®, and narcoginine, a base, C?°H!°NO?°. 
This last exists only in the form of a double salt in combination with 
chloride of platinum ; any attempt to separate it resolves it at once into 
narcotine and cotarnine. 
Analysis of Alloys of Tin and Antimony, (Chem. Gaz. Aug. 1844, 
p. 347.)—Cuevatier and Lassaiene have found that on treating an 
alloy of these two metals with muriatic acid, none or very little antimo- 
niuretted hydrogen is formed, while the antimony separates as a black 
powder. If, on the contrary, the alloy is treated with nitric acid, the 
yellow insoluble mixture of oxide of tin and antimonious acid separated, 
ignited, (when it becomes green,) and treated with sulphuric acid and 
water,—an abundant evolution of antimoniuretted hydrogen gas takes 
place, which on ignition deposits large glittering films of antimony. 
Test for Bile, by M. Perrenxorrer, (Lancet, Oct. 1844.)—Add to 
the fluid supposed to contain bile concentrated sulphuric acid until it be- 
comes hot, and then drop into it a solution of sugar; the presence of the 
bile is manifested by the mixture becoming of a deep pink or red color, 
varying in intensity. 
2. New instrument for the solidification of carbonic acid. 
Giessen Laboratory, March 21, 1845. 
Messrs. Editors,—An instrument for the solidification of carbonic 
acid arrived here a few days since from Vienna, and having been ex- 
perimented with, in the presence of the class, proved so simple and safe, 
that I have thought a sketch of it might perhaps not be uninteresting to 
you. 
It is essentially a convenient forcing pump, to which is attached a 
cylinder sufficiently strong to resist the pressure necessary to the lique- 
faction of carbonic acid. The chief difference between it and those, 
one of which burst in Paris, with such frightful effects, is, that the evo- 
lution of gas is entirely disconnected with the cylinder in which con- 
densation is produced. This prevents all danger from the disengage- 
ment of hydrogen ina surplus of sulphuric acid. The cylinder had 
