COUERBE’S METHOD OF ANALYZING OPIUM. 
91 
vnpour is 2-563. It. consists of C H -I- C* IP 
03 j-i o. It boils at 136"^. Its density 
is 919, 
9. formate OF CARBYDROGEN.— 
This ether was prepared l)y distilling a mix- 
ture of equal weights of sulphate of carby- 
drogen and formate of soda, 'bhe product is 
distilled over a new portion of formate of soda, 
and lastly, in a retort from a water-bath. 
Its formula is C H + 0^ H O^ + HO. 
The density of its vapour is 2-4. 
10. benzoate of CARBYDRO- 
GEN, is formed by the distillation of 2 parts 
benzoic acid, 2 sulphuric acid, and 1 part 
pyroxylic spirit, and precipitating the product 
by water. By redistilling tlie residue of the 
first operation with new portions of pyroxylic 
spirit, more benzoate of carbydrogen passes 
over. The product, after precipitation by 
water, should be agitated with chloride of 
calcium, decanted and distilled over dry 
massicot. It is then to be boiled till the tem- 
perature remains fixed about 388°. It is 
oily, colourless. Sp. gr, 1*10. _ The density 
of the vapour is 4-717, It consists of C H 
C15 H6 Q3 H O, or I atom of each of the 
ingredients. 
IT. CHLORO-CARBONATE OF CAR- 
BYDROGEN. — When pyroxylic spirit is 
admitted into a vessel containing chloro- 
carbonic acid, muriatic acid and chloro-car- 
bonate of carbydrogen are formed. The 
latter separates in the form of a heavy oil. 
Its precipitation is secured by the addition of 
water. It is then decanted, rectified with a 
great excess of chloride of calcium and mas- 
sicot. It is a colourless liquid, very volatile, 
with a penetrating odour. It burns with a 
green flame. It consists of 1 atom of acid 
and I of base. 
12. SULPHO-CARBYDROGIC ACID, 
can be formed by the action of sulphuric aci(l 
and pyroxylic spirit, but more readily by 
dissolving the double sulphate of carbydro- 
gen in water, precipitating the barytes by 
sulphuric acid, and crystallizing the liquid in 
a vacuum. The crystals are white needles. 
It is strongly acid, and forms salts with all 
the bases. 
SULPHO-CARBYDROGATE OF BA- 
RYTES is prepared by adding gradually 1 
part of pyroxylic spirit to 2 parts concentra- 
ted sulphuric acid ; much heat is extricated. 
The liquid, after the cessation of action, is 
diluted with water, and supersaturated slight- 
ly with barytes. 
The liquid is then submitted to the action 
of carbonic acid, and again filtered. _ Sulpho- 
carbydrogate of barytes remains in a pure 
and neutral state. By careful evapoiation it 
is obtained in the form of beautiful square 
plates. The salt is colourless, and effloresces 
in the air. When strongly heated it is de- 
composed, and sulphato of barytes remains. 
The salt of lime is deliquescent. 'J'hat of 
potash crystallizes in pearly plates. 
13. AMMONIA SULPHATE OF CAR- 
BYDROGEN, or sulpho-methylene of Du- 
mas, is formed by passing a current of dry 
ammonia over sulphate of carbydrogen. A 
soft crystalline mass is formed. It may be 
also procured by the action of liquid am- 
monia upon sulphate of carbydrogen. The 
liquid which remains after the re-action, 
when evaporated in vacuo, furnishes beauti- 
ful crystals, whose composition is exactly 
represented by an atom of anhydrous sulphate 
of carbydrogen, united to an atom of enhy- 
drous sulphate of ammonia. 
14. AMMONIA WITH OXALATE OF 
CARBYDROGEN, or Oxamethylane of 
Dumas, is produced when a current of dry 
ammoniacal gas is passed over oxalate of 
carbydrogen. A white crystalline mass is 
formed, when dissolved in alcohol ; cubic 
crystals are obtained by evaporation. In 
order to understand its composition, we have 
only to admit that pyroxylic spirit is produced 
during the action, 2 atoms oxalate of carby- 
drogen, and 1 ammonia being converted into 
an atom of oxamethylane, and 1 of pyroxylic 
spirit. 
15. URETHY LANE, is the name given 
to the product of the action of chloro-carbo- 
nate of carbydrogen with ammonia; much 
sal-ammoniac is formed, and a deliquescent 
substance crystallizing in needles. 
In remarking upon these compounds, 
Dumas observes, that di-hydrate of carbydro- 
gen is isomeric with alcohol ; Bycarbonate of 
carbydrogen with citric or malic acid ; Oxalate 
carbydrogen with succinic acid ; Formate of 
carbydrogen with acetic acid ; Acetate of 
carbydrogen with formic ether ; Citrate of 
carbydrogen with anhydrous sugar. 
ANALA'SIS OF OPIUM.* 
Couerbe gives the following method for 
analyzing this complicated substance, as pro- 
posed by Gregory : 
The Opium is first taken up by cold wafer, 
and then concentrated, chloride of calcium 
is adrled to the solution, in the proportion of 
2 ounces to the pound of opium It is then 
boiled and allowed to crystallize. When the 
whole has become solid, the crystals are sub- 
initted to pressure. The crystals contain 
Codeine and Morjjhine united to muriatic acid. 
The liquid portion which possesses a very 
black colour, with the consistence of syrup, 
contaiiiS, Bimeconate of lime, pure Morphine, 
IS’arceine, Thebaine, Meconine, pure Narco- 
tine. In order to separate these substances, 
the liquid is brought to the consistences of 
molasses, and in order to free it from an im- 
mense quantity of a peculiar black substance, 
which is improperly termed fat, it is diluted 
with water acidulated with muriatic acid. 
The addition of the acid causes this matter 
to swim on the surface; it is then skimmed 
off; it contains much ulmine. Ammonia is 
next poured into the purified liquid, by which 
means, Morphine and Thebaine are precipi- 
tated. This deposit is dried, pulverized and 
treated with boiling ether. The Thebaine 
though little soluble in this liquid, dissolves. 
The ethereal solution is distilled when the 
Thebaine remains behind in the form of small 
reddish crystals. These are purified by dis- 
* Aim. de Chiniie, lix. 151. 
