Original Communications. 
to the first ; by others, very little or no better. These opi- 
nions may be considered as founded on supposition, no trial 
that I am aware of having been made to ascertain its pro- 
portion of morphia. 
Viewing the subject as one of importance, I commenced a 
course of experiments, the results of which, together with 
some observations on the comparative value of the article, I 
now submit. 
Its form is that of roundish flat masses, varying in weight 
from one to eight ounces, having been covered with a green- 
ish leaf, while moist, on many of the pieces fragments of the 
midrib only remaining ; the brown capsules with which Tur- 
key opium is mostly surrounded are entirely absent. Its 
general appearance is attractive ; upon breaking several 
pieces, however, I was struck with a difference of colour, 
some being darker than others, and than common opium. Its 
fracture is dull and uneven, and when freshly broken the surface 
has a slightly unctuous feel ; taste not so strongly bitter, but 
acrid and astringent, and its odour more nauseous. When 
cold, it is hard and friable, easily reduced to powder which 
is of a light brown colour. 
It approaches nearer to the form of an extract than com- 
mon opium, but less so than a specimen of pure Turkey opium 
which I had an opportunity of examining ; the fracture of 
which was smooth and shining. 
Before reciting the analysis, it may be right to remark that 
but little attention has been paid to those principles occurring 
| in minute quantities, and which are of little import, except 
as matters of curiosity ; the principal object has been to iso- 
late those of practical importance. 
In performing the first experiment, I followed, with but 
little variation, the formula of Dr. Staples, recognized by our 
national Pharmacopoeia as being the best for obtaining mor- 
phia, and by which the most accurate conclusions may be 
made of the comparative strength of the opium. 
Experiment 1st. Two thousand grains were submitted to 
the action of twelve fluid ounces distilled water, for six days, 
the temperature varying from 80° to 90°. The dregs were sepa- 
