194 
NOTE UPON INDIA OPIUM 
pilular mass — perfectly homogeneous, of a black color, and 
when presenting a smooth surface, of a shining aspect. 
It is sticky, tenacious and ductile. When exposed for a 
short time to a warm atmosphere, it hardens on the surface; 
a thin lamina is translucent. The odor is peculiar, oppres- 
sive and rank, more like the fresh heads of the poppy, and 
the taste is bitter. If exposed to the atmosphere in a damp 
place, mould is soon formed upon the surface, which also 
from the absorption of moisture, will remain soft. It is very 
adherent to the fingers and dries with difficulty. 
Upon first placing a portion in water, it assumed a lighter 
or brown tint, and became spongy on the surface ; it finally 
disintegrated, leaving a brown granular deposit, and gave to 
the water a deep brown color. Examined with the micros- 
cope, the deposit was found to consist of a large quantity 
of aciculse, broken crystals, and an amorphous granular sub- 
stance with membranous patches. With boiling water, a 
deep blackish-brown solution was formed,from which crystals 
were deposited, of a beautiful arborescent character. When 
this solution was filtered, on the filter was left a tenacious 
sum-elastic-like substance. From Prof. Procter, I have ob- 
tained the following statement with respect to the amount 
of morphia found in it. 
100 grains of soft Patna opium from the interior of the 
mass was treated with water until exhausted. The residue 
weighed 50 grains, after having attained a consistence drier 
than the original opium, but not entirely dry. The infu- 
sions were united, evaporated to one fluid ounce, and mixed 
with half an ounce of alcohol ; a slight excess of ammoniated 
alcohol was added, and the whole left for twenty-four hours. 
The crystals were collected on a filter, washed with water, 
and when dried, weighed 6.75 grains; they were of a brown 
color. When these were treated by ether, at several times 
until exhausted, they lost 1.75 grains, and the ethereal 
solutions yielded by evaporation a crystalline residue, color- 
ing nitric acid yellow. 
