NOTE UPON INDIA OPIUM. 
195 
This was narcotina with codeia probably mixed, leaving 
as the weight of the morphia, 5 grains. 
The second variety is Benares Opium. 
This is also in the form of a round ball, weighing three 
pounds, ten drachms. Its size is the same as the preceding, 
and so far as sensible peculiarities are concerned, presents 
the same as in the preceding kind. I found the same sepa- 
tion to take place — when macerated in water — between the 
crystalline meconate of morphia, and the other constituents 
in an amorphous or granulated form. The resemblance is 
so complete between the two kinds of opium, that I fully 
accord in the statement of Dr. Pereira, that they are not to 
be distinguished. 
The experiments of the same gentleman, conducted as in 
the case of Patna, exhibited 4S grs. for residue, 7 grains of 
crystals, much discolored, and losing 1.5 grs. by ether, the 
resulting morphia, therefore, when dry, being 5.5 grains in 
weight. 
The third kind is Malwa Opium. 
This is in the form of a flattened lenticular mass, appa- 
rently round originally, and assuming this form from com- 
pression, the weight is ten and a half ounces, it has a rough 
rugose appearance externally, is covered with a brownish 
dust, which has insinuated itself into the rugae, and is closely 
adherent, here and there are to be found the remains of 
some leaf, which must have been loosely applied, as well as 
fragments of paper. The surface has an unctuous feel. 
The consistence is solid ; it breaks with a short rough frac- 
ture, and presents a blackish-brown color, here and there 
showing oily, irregular spots. Its taste is very bitter and 
acrid, and the odor highly narcotic. When macerated in 
water, the color communicated is deep-brown. When the 
finer particles of sediment are examined by the microscope, 
they present crystals of meconate of morphia. 
The exterior of this kind is also very liable to become 
mouldy. 
