378 
VARIETIES. 
from the bark of a tree called Bebeeru, in the colony of Demerara, and 
which has been subsequently described under the name of Nectandra 
Rodiei, by Sir Robert Schomburgh, 
To prepare the bebeerine in a state of purity the author first followed the 
process described by Dr. Maclagan. The impure sulphate of commerce 
was dissolved in water, and bebeerine precipitated by ammonia. After 
having washed it, it was mixed with hydrate of lead, and the mixture eva- 
porated in a water-bath. The dry residue yields to ether impure bebeerine, 
which is obtained by evaporation of the ethereal solution in the form of a 
brownish, resinous mass. In order to purify this product, M. Planta treats 
it with acetic acid, which imperfectly dissolves it ; to the filtered liquor he 
adds an excess of acetate of lead, and then potash, until a precipitate is 
formed. The combination of bebeerine and oxide of lead, which is thus 
obtained, is dried in a water bath, and exhausted with ether. On distil- 
ling away the ether, the bebeerine is left in the form of a syrupy mass, 
having a slightly yellow color. It is dissolved in absolute alcohol, and the 
solution in a concentrated state, added drop by drop, to cold water kept 
constantly agitated. It forms a thick precipitate, which may be collected 
on a filter, washed and dried without agglutinating. 
When thus prepared, bebeerine is a colorless powder, free from smell, 
unalterable in the air, highly electric, and, when ignited on plantinum foil, 
leaving a carbonacious residue, which completely burns away. It melts at 
356° Fah., and on cooling becomes a vitreous mass. Above 356° Fah., it 
decomposes without volatillizing. It has a strong'alkaline reaction, and 
completely neutralizes the acids, forming uncrystallizable salts. It is very 
soluble in water, but dissolves more easily in ether, and in all proportions 
in alcohol. 
The following are some of the reactions of hydrochlorate of bebeerine. 
Potash, ammonia, and the carbonates of these alkalis, separate the be- 
beerine in the form of white mucilaginous flakes, but slightly soluble in 
excess of the precipitant. Bi-carbonate and phosphate of soda form white 
precipitates, chloride of gold a reddish brown precipitate, and chloride of 
platinum a yellowish white precipitate. Corrosive sublimate, iodide of 
potassium, sulphocyanide of potassium, and tincture or infusion of nutgalls, 
give white precipitates. Tincture of iodine gives a Kermes brown, and 
picric acid a sulphur-yellow precipitate. Iodic acid colors the solution 
of the hydrochlorate first pure red, then reddish brown, and finally 
deep red. 
According to the analyses of M. de Planta, the composition of bebeerine 
may be represented by the formula C 38 II 2l NO G . It is not, therefore, iso- 
meric with morphine ( C 34 II J9 NO G ), as was thought by Maclagan and 
Tilley. When a concentrated solution of hydrochlorate of bebeerine is 
added, drop by drop, to a weak solution of chloride of platinum, an orange 
ii morphous precipitate is obtained, which has the composition C 38 H 2l NO G -f- 
HC1., PtCl 2 — Ibid, from Joum. de Pharm. 
