SUBLIMATION  OF  THE  ALKALOIDS. 
539 
Let  us  then  turn  to  these  chapters,  and  see  what  information 
they  afford  as  to  the  points  upon  which  we  should  naturally  wish 
to  be  instructed. 
1.  Under  the  head  of  morphine,  we  learn  that  the  one-thou- 
sandth of  a  grain  of  this  alkaloid  is  sufficient  to  give  a  perfectly 
serviceable  sublimate ;  and  that  such  a  sublimate,  besides  yield- 
ing the  same  reactions  as  the  solutions  of  its  salts,  assumes  cha- 
racteristic crystalline  forms  with  distilled  water,  liq.  amnionic, 
and  dilute  hydrochloric  acid,  these  last  of  extraordinary  beauty. 
2.  The  sublimate  obtained  from  strychnine  is  characterized  by 
the  quickness  and  beauty  of  its  reactions  with  distilled  water, 
liq.  amnionic,  dilute  hydrochloric  acid,  and  dilute  chromic  acid, 
of  which  the  last  yields  results  of  extraordinary  beauty  and  rare 
diagnostic  value.  The  smallest  quantity  which  will  yield  a  sub- 
limate is  not  specified. 
3.  Brucine  does  not  yield  such  rich  sublimates  as  the  two  pre- 
ceding ;  but  they  are  represented  to  have  the  same  formation. 
Nor  are  their  reactions  so  satisfactory.  No  distinct  crystalline 
forms  are  developed  by  distilled  water  or  liq.  ammonias,  and 
only  evanescent  crystals  by  dilute  hydrochloric  acid.  Dilute 
chromic  acid,  or  a  solution  of  bichromate  of  potash,  developes 
characteristic  crystals,  valuable  as  being  distinct  from  the  reac- 
tions of  the  same  acid  with  morphine  and  strychnine.  The 
smallest  quantity  not  specified. 
4.  In  veratrine  we  encounter  the  first  alkaloid  which  yields  a 
crystalline  sublimate  by  Helwig's  method.  He  describes  these 
crystals  as  rhomboid, — rhomboidal  prisms, — and  four-sided 
plates  arranged  star-shaped ;  sometimes  as  ivhetstone-shaped. 
These  crystals  are  best  seen  in  the  thinner  sublimates.  The  re- 
actions with  distilled  water,  liq.  ammonias,  dilute  hydrochloric 
acid,  and  dilute  chromic  acid,  are  not  characteristic.  The  deli- 
cacy of  the  test  of  sublimation  is  not  indicated.  The  odor  of 
the  sublimate  is  described  as  highly  disagreeable  and  penetrat- 
ing. 
5.  The  sublimate  of  atropine  contains  neither  crystals  nor 
granules  ;  and  its  reactions  are  uncertain  and  unstable.  The 
vapor  has  a  peculiar  sweetish  odor. 
6.  Aconitine  also  yields  a  non-crystalline  sublimate,  and  of 
