452      DEPORTMENT  OF  ALKALOIDS  WITH  REAGENTS,  ETC. 
upon  the  addition  of  ammonia  redissolves  in  ether,  and  the  clear 
fluid  presents  two  distinct  layers.  In  this  particular  quinia 
differs  essentially  from  cinchonia ;  by  means  of  this  reaction  the 
former  may,  therefore,  be  readily  detected  in  presence  of  the 
latter  and  separated  from  it. 
4.  Bicarbonate  of  soda  also  produces,  and  this  both  in  neutral 
and  acid  solutions  containing  one  per  cent,  of  salts  of  quinia,  a 
+  . 
white  precipitate.  In  acidified  solutions,  1  gr.  Q.  in  100  grs-.  of 
water  acidulated,  the  precipitate  forms  immediately ;  if  the  pro- 
portion of  the  quinia  to  the  acid  and  water  is  1:150,  the  precipi- 
tate separates  only  after  an  hour  or  two,  in  the  form  of  distinct 
needles,  aggregated  into  groups.  If  the  proportion  is  as  1:200, 
the  fluid  remains  clear,  and  it  is  only  after  from  twelve  to  twenty- 
four  hours'  standing  that  a  slight  precipitate  makes  its  appear- 
ance. The  precipitate  is  not  altogether  insoluble  in  the  precipi- 
tant, and  the  separation  is  accordingly  the  more  complete  the 
less  the  excess  of  the  precipitant ;  the  precipitate  contains  car- 
bonic acid. 
5.  Concentrated  nitric  acid  dissolves  quinia  to  a  colorless 
fluid,  becoming  yellowish  upon  the  application  of  heat. 
6.  The  addition  of  chlorine  water  to  the  solution  of  a  salt  of 
quinia  fails  to  impart  a  color  to  the  fluid,  or,  at  least,  imparts  to 
it  only  a  very  faint  tint ;  but  if  ammonia  is  now  added  the  fluid 
acquires  an  intensely  emerald-green  color.  The  solution,  mixed 
with  chlorine  water,  acquires  a  dark  red  color  upon  addition  of 
ferrocyanide  of  potassium  in  excess. 
7.  Concentrated  sulphuric  acid  likewise  dissolves  pure  quinia 
and  pure  salts  of  quinia  to  a  colorless  fluid,  which  does  not  ac- 
quire any  coloration  upon  being  heated  to  the  point  of  incipient 
evaporation  of  the  sulphuric  acid,  but  becomes  afterwards  yel- 
low, and  finally  brown.  Sulphuric  acid  containing  an  admixture 
of  nitric  acid  dissolves  quinia  to  a  very  faint  yellowish  fluid. 
-f- 
Cinchonia  (C^  H24  N2  02)=Ci. 
1.  Cinchonia  appears  either  in  the  form  of  pellucid,  brilliant, 
four-sided  prisms  ;  fine,  white,  crystalline  needles ;  or,  when  pre- 
cipitated from  concentrated  solutions,  as  a  loose,  white  powder. 
At  first  it  appears  tasteless,  but  after  some  time  the  bitter  taste 
