THE  CHEMISTRY  OF  OPIUM.  519 
Acetate  of  lead  caused  immediately  a  floceulent  precipitate, 
partly  soluble  in  acetic  acid. 
Mixed  with  potassa  and  a  solution  of  sulphate  of  copper,  a 
deep  bluish  green  solution,  without  any  precipitate,  immediately 
was  formed,  not  changing  by  standing  ;  upon  boiling,  a  red  crys- 
talline precipitate  of  oxide  of  copper  was  promptly  deposited. 
When  a  half  ripe  fruit  is  cut  in  two,  and  moistened  with  a 
few  drops  of  tincture  of  iodine,  a  blue  color  is  immediately  pro- 
duced. 
.  A  decoction  of  the  fruit  with  tincture  of  iodine  gives  a  dark 
blue  precipitate. 
According  to  the  foregoing  examination  the  juice  of  the  fruit 
of  Solanum  lycopersicum  contains  the  following  substances : 
Potassa,  lime,  and  some  magnesia,  in  combination  with  malic, 
tartaric,  phosphoric,  and  sulphuric  acids,  chlorine,  a  gum  re- 
sembling dextrine,  albumen,  starch,  cellulose,  fatty  and  resinous 
matters,  red  coloring  matter,  and  sugar. 
Solanin  could  not  be  found  in  the  juice  ;  this  would  have  been 
betrayed  by  its  bitter,  nauseous,  harsh  taste.  The  seed,  how- 
ever, yielded  an  alcoholic  extract  of  a  bitter  and  penetrating 
taste,  containing  probably  solania,  with  which  I  propose  making 
further  experiments. 
The  aqueous  solution  of  the  contents  of  the  retort  deposits  a 
Kermes  colored  powder,  which,  when  washed  with  diluted  alco- 
hol, is  slightly  dissolved,  yielding  a  brownish  red  colored  liquid. 
Finally  6  ounces  of  the  juice  freshly  strained  from  the  ripe 
fruit,  moistened  with  phosphoric  acid,  were  subjected  to  distilla- 
tion. The  distillate  reacted  and  tasted  decidedly  acid,  but  did 
not  decolorize  the  indigo  solution  ;  it  gave  upon  neutralization 
with  caustic  barjta,  filtration  and  subsequent  evaporation,  a  salt, 
which  when  wet  with  sulphuric  acid,  in  the  presence  of  one  of 
the  organic  ethers,  evolves  a  distinct  odor  of  acetic  acid. —  Vier- 
teljahresschrift,  xi.  Band  3  Heft.  a.  j.  s. 
ON  THE  CHEMISTRY  OF  OPIUM. 
By  Dr.  T.  Anderson. 
Since  the  year  1803,  opium  has  attracted  the  attention  of 
chemists  ;  of  late  years  the  principal  point  aimed  at  had  been 
