244 
Proceedings of the Royal Society 
(3.) By adding alkaline solution of amnionic comenate to dilate 
solution of calcic chloride, a precipitate was obtained which 
separated for the most part gradually. 
3-64 grs. gave 0*99 grs. CaO = 27*19 per cent, in the salt dried at 
120 °. 
C 6 H 2 Ca0 5 = 28*86 per cent. CaO. 
C 6 H 2 Ca0 5 H 2 0 = 26*41 
None of the other salts described in the books was prepared, 
as the analyses given of them did not afford promise of any good 
result. It occurred to me that it would be interesting to observe 
the behaviour of comenic acid when digested with a strong alkaloid, 
and the experiments though inconclusive are worth noting. With 
morphine, which is not a very powerful base, only the mono- 
morphine comenate is formed, just as with meconic acid it forms the 
di-morphine meconate. Codeine, which is a very strong alkaloid, 
when digested in water with comenic acid in the proportions to 
form di-codeine comenate, readily dissolves, and when the solution 
is evaporated it remains for days in a syrupy state without any 
separation of codeine. As however the salt refuses to crystallise, 
there is no proof that the di-basic salt is really formed. The result 
may simply be due to the solubility of codeine being greatly 
increased by the presence of the mono-basic comenate. At the 
same time it must be observed, that when codeine (in excess of the 
quantity required to form the di-basic salt) is digested with comenic 
acid, very little more of the alkaloid is taken up than is required to 
form the di-codeine comenate, and this excess is easily explained by 
the solubility of codeine in water. In like manner, meconic acid 
takes up very nearly the proportion of base required for the 
tri-codeine meconate. The only other alkaloid tried was thebaine, 
and it behaved exactly as morphia. 
In view of the results above described, I think we must admit 
that the evidence is distinctly in favour of the di-basic nature of 
comenic acid, and apparently of the tri-basic nature of meconic acid, 
although the last combining power in each of them must be very 
feeble. Knowing that carbonic anhydride is evolved in the forma- 
tion of comenic from meconic acid, it is naturally assumed that the 
former contains an oxatyl radicle less than the latter ; but as we do 
