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SELECTED ARTICLES. 
tine may be detected by a weak solution of potass, which 
takes up the morphine, and leaves the narcotine undis- 
solved. 
A number of experiment made with various samples of 
Smyrna opium, show that the average quantity of morphine 
obtained from a pound of that opium is eight and a half to 
nine drachms. — Journ de Chimie. 
ART, XLIV. — VEGETABLE CHEMISTRY. 
To the Editor of the Lancet. 
Sir: — The following experiments, illustrative of the con- 
stituents of gooseberrries, at different periods of their growth, 
have been conducted during the present summer, and if wor- 
thy of notice, you will oblige me by inserting them in your 
valuable Journal. 
I am, sir, your obedient servant, 
Samuel Wright. 
Nottingham, Sept. 11th, 1833. 
Experiment 1. — Some unripe gooseberries, collected about 
the latter end of June, were carefully beaten to a pulp, and 
then acted upon by successive portions of alcohol, until every 
thing soluble in that menstruum was removed. The several 
alcoholic solutions, after intermixture, were subjected to slow 
evaporation. When all the spirits had disappeared, there re- 
mained a small quantity of sour fluid, tinged green by the co- 
loring matter of the fruit, This liquid was diluted with five 
times its volume of distilled water, and after standing for 
some time, was filtered, to separate the coloring matter, which 
had wholly subsided. The clear fluid was then divided into 
four equal parts, and examined in the following manner: 
To the first portion was added sulphate of iron, when a 
