1888.] Mr Dott and Dr Stockman on Morphine. 
135 
the hydrogen in the morphine molecule may be replaced by alcohol 
radicals. We endeavoured to prepare a monoethyl derivative 
[C 34 H 3 h(C 2 H 5 )N 206 ], by beating together equivalent quantities of 
morphine, soda, and ethyl iodide, in alcoholic solution. The alcohol 
having been evaporated, the residue was exhausted with chloroform, 
and the chloroform extract converted into hydrochloride. The 
resulting crystalline mass was pressed in calico, and a chloroplatinate 
prepared from the crystals. Dried at ISO"", 0’44 gram gave on 
ignition 0'083 grani = 18-86 per cent. Pt; 0-2965 gram gave 0-056 
gram Pt= 18-88 per cent. Pt. The expressed mother-waters from 
the crystals yielded a platinum salt, which gave on ignition — 
0’3239 gram = 0*061 gram Pt= 18*83 per cent. 
Mean of three determinations = 18*85 per cent. Pt. 
C34H36(C2H5)2N06.PtH2Cl6 = 18*97 per cent. Pt. 
C34H37(C2Hg)N20g. PtH 2 Clg = 19*50 per cent. Pt. 
Whence it is manifest that under the conditions described, only 
diethylmorphine is formed (using the nomenclature adopted by 
Wright). In fine, there does not appear to be any evidence to 
justify the adoption of a higher formula for morphine than the 
empirical (Cj^Hj^glSrOg), which is the formula still in general use. 
It follows that Wright’s *‘ diacetyl morphine ” should be named 
acetijlmorpliine^ and his “ tetracetylmorphine ” diacetylmorphine. 
4. On the Fossil Flora of the Staffordshire Coal Fields. 
I. The Fossil Plants collected during the Sinking 
of the Shaft of the Hamstead Colliery, Great Barr, 
near Birmingham. By Robert Kidston, F.R.S.E., 
F.G.S. 
5. On a Monochromatic Rainbow. By John Aitken. 
A monochromatic rainbow looks like a contradiction in terms. 
As a rainbow of this kind was, however, seen lately, its occurrence 
seems worth putting on record. On the afternoon of Christmas 
day I went for a walk in the direction of the high ground to the 
south of Falkirk. Shortly after starting I observed in the east 
