262 
ON  VALERIANATE  OF  ATEOPIA. 
fine  violet  color,  which  acids  do  not  modify,  or  cause  to  become 
red.  This  body  cannot,  therefore,  be  regarded  as  carminate  of 
ammonia.  To  ascertain  the  transformation  that  takes  place,  I 
analysed  some  carminic  acid,  upon  the  purification  of  which  I  had 
bestowed  the  greatest  care,  and  modified  this  acid  by  means  of 
ammonia.  By  the  comparison  of  the  two  results  obtained,  I 
found  that  the  coloring  matter  of  the  ammoniacal  cochineal  was 
the  amide  of  carminic  acid.  On  analysing  carminic  acids  pre- 
pared by  different  processes,  I  found  that  each  had  a  different 
composition,  but  all  my  analyses  might  be  definitively  represented 
by  the  same  formula  with  more  or  less  oxygen,  and  I  concluded 
therefrom  that  there  exisits  at  least  two  degrees  of  oxidation  of 
carminic  acid.  I  have  in  fact  succeeded,  by  employing  ether 
mixed  with  more  or  less  alcohol  as  a  solvent,  in  separating  and 
obtaining  in  a  crystalline  form  two  products,  of  which  one  is  re- 
presented by  the  formula 
C18H8010, 
and  the  other  by 
C18H80U 
as  well  as  two  intermediate  degrees  of  oxidation,  one 
C18H8Q12? 
the  other 
(PH8013, 
which  may  be  regarded  either  as  peculiar  bodies,  or  as  compounds 
of  the  more  oxidized  with  the  less  oxidized  acid.  By  heating  a 
mixture  of  carminate  of  soda  and  iodide  of  ethyle  to  257Q  F.  in 
a  closed  tube,  I  have  obtained  the  ethers  of  these  carminic  acids 
in  the  form  of  red  bodies,  insoluble  in  water,  but  soluble  in 
alcohol. 
I  have  also  remarked  that  nascent  hydrogen  completely  de- 
colorizes a  solution  of  carminic  acid,  and  that  the  color  returns 
in  the  air.  This  reaction  may  be  compared  with  that  which 
takes  place  when  indigo  is  reduced. — Comptes  Hendus,  Jan.  4, 
1858,  from  Chem.  Gfaz.,  Feb.  15,  1858. 
NOTE  ON  VALERIANATE  OF  ATROPINE. 
By  M.  Miette. 
The  organic  valerianates  are  at  present  very  few  in  number. 
Beyond  the  valerianate  of  quinine,  first  indicated  at  the  Scientific 
