20 



On the History of the Opium Alkaloids. 



[Xov. 16, 



All the bodies previously mentioned may be regarded as being derived 

 from one or other of the two bases C 17 H 21 N0 3 and C 17 H 21 N0 2 by multi- 

 plication of the molecule, and addition or subtraction of the elements of 

 water and of hydriodic acid. 



These two (hypothetical) bases contain H a more than morphia and de- 

 oxymorphia respectively ; denoting the first by the symbol X, and the 

 second by Y, the following general formulae will indicate all the compounds 

 previously described : — 



4X+«HI±»H 2 O j 

 4Y+«iHI+»H 2 0. 



Thus the following Table illustrates the mutual relations of the com- 

 pounds described: — 



Source of Compound. Formula?. 



(A) Codeia, HI, and P at 



100° C e3 H se I a N,0 lo ,4HI=4X + 6HI. 



(B) Do. at 110°-115° .... C 6S H 62 I 2 N^O 10 , 4HI =4X+6HI- 2H 2 0. 



(C) (A) treated with water 



or Xa.CO s G M H S1 I N,0. , 4HI =4X+5HI- 2H s O. 



(D) Free base of (C). (A) 



treated with Na, CO... C e3 H 81 1 N 4 O 10 , =4X-fHI - 2H 2 0. 



(E) Further action of water 



on(C) C es H 80 N,O 10 ,4HI =4X + 4HI- 2H 2 O. 



(F) Action of HI on (E) . C cs H 107 I 3 N 4 22 , 4HI=4X- 7HI + 10H, 0. 



(G) Codeia, HI, and P at 



135° C es H 8a I 2 N 4 O e ,4HI =4Y+6HI- 2H 2 0. 



(H) Action of water on 



(G) C iB H BB N 4 O le ,4HI =4Y + 4HI + 2H..0. 



(I) Action of HI on (H) . . C u H M I N 4 O 10 , 4HI = 4Y + 5HI + 2H~0. 

 (J) Action of HI on (A) . . I 3 N 4 16 , 4HI =4Y+ 7HI+ SH^O. 



Although it may well happen that further researches may show that 

 some of the above formulae require some slight correction, the analytical 

 numbers not always agreeing together absolutely accurately, yet the fol- 

 lowing points may be considered established : — 



(1) The action of hydriodic acid on codeia polymerizes it, the ultimate 

 compounds formed being derived from at least four molecules of codeia. 

 Hydrobromic acid also polymerizes codeia, but not so completely as hydri- 

 odic acid, there being formed, in addition to the tetra-bases, compounds 

 which (from their crystalline character and other physical properties) are 

 apparently derived from one molecule only of codeia. Hydrochloric acid 

 does not appear to have a marked polymerizing effect on codeia. 



(2) Hydriodic, hydrobromic, and hydrochloric acids all eliminate methyl 

 from codeia, forming ultimately compounds containing ?iC 17 . 



(3) The compounds got by the action of hydriodic acid in presence of 



