200 
OXYGEN ON ORGANIC RASES. 
low color verging on red, and the property of reddening 
litmus paper. Sulphuric and nitric acids turn to pale yel- 
low the color of this solution, which becomes, on the con- 
trary, deeper under the influence of caustic alkalis. This 
solution is not rendered turbid nor altered by triacetate of 
lead. 
Concentrated sulphuric acid only very difficultly dissolves 
morphetine. Nitric acid, on the contrary, readily dissolves 
it, acquiring a yellow color. 
Morphetine, submitted in its turn to the action of peroxide 
of lead, until no more effervescence is produced, is convert- 
ed into a yellow, uncrystallizable matter, endowed with 
acid properties. 
PRODUCTS DERIVED FROM NARCOTINE. 
When this alkaloid is submitted to the action of oxygen- 
ising bodies, and in the conditions which we have described 
above, a new coloring matter is obtained, narcotein, which 
is presented under the form of an amorphous or crystalliza- 
ble mass, of a brown color, and possessing a very bitter 
taste. It is very sparingly soluble in ether, but it dissolves 
very readily, on the contrary, in alcohol and in water. It 
is soluble in concentrated nitric acid, which it colors yellow. 
It likewise dissolves with great facility in concentrated sul- 
phuric acid, to which it communicates a magnificent red 
color, from which it passes to yellow when this solution is 
diluted with water. 
The aqueous solution of narcotein is of a yellow color; 
when ammonia or caustic potassa is added, the color be- 
comes rather brighter, and even passes to yellowish-red. 
Subacetate of lead does not alter either its color or its trans- 
parency. 
Narcotein, when submitted to the action of nascent oxy- 
gen until effervescence ceases, is gradually decolored, and 
is converted into a new body, the opianic acid, formerly 
obtained by Liebig and Wohler, in their experiments on 
the oxidation of narcotein. 
