ncentrated, and crystallized.

If, instead of chromate or bichromate of potash or soda, chromic acid
is sought, the mass after lixiviation is treated with sulphuric acid,
and the chromic acid is obtained directly without any intermediate
steps.

This process has the following advantages:

1. The oxidation can be effected at the ordinary temperature, thus
saving expense in fuel.

2. The heavy manual labor is avoided.

3. The loss of potash and soda by volatilization and combination with
the gangue is entirely avoided.

4. It is not actually necessary to use rich ores; silicious ores can
be used.

5. The intimate mixture of the material before treatment being made
mechanically, the puddling is avoided, and in consequence a greater
proportion of the sesquioxide of chromium in the ores is
utilized.--_Bull. Soc. Chem._ 5, 371.

* * * * *

A VIOLET COLORING MATTER FROM MORPHINE.

A violet coloring matter is formed, together with other substances, by
boiling for 100 hours in a reflux apparatus a mixture of morphine
(seven grammes), p-nitrosodimethylaniline hydrochloride (five
grammes), and alcohol (500 c.c.). The solution gradually assumes a red
brown color, and a quantity of tetramethyldiamidoazobenzene separates
in a crystalline state. After filtering from the latter, the alcoholic
solution is evaporated to dryness, and the residue boiled with water,
a deep purple colored solution being so obtained. This solution, which
contains at least two coloring matters, is evaporated almost to
dryness, acidulated with hydrochloric acid, and then rendered alkaline
with sodium hydrate, the coloring matters being precipitated and the
unchanged morphine remaining in solution. The precipitate is collected
on a filter, washed with dilute sodium hydrate, dried, and extracted
in the cold with amyl alcohol, which dissolves out a violet coloring
matter, and leaves in the residue a blue coloring matter or mixture of
coloring matters. The violet coloring matter is obtained in a pure
state on evaporating the amyl alcohol. Its platinochloride has the
formula PtCl_{4}.C_{25}H_{29}N_{3}O_{4}.HCl, and has the
characteristic properties of the platinochlorides of the majority of
alkaloids. The coloring matter, of which the free base has the
formula--

(C_{6}H_{4}N(CH_{3})_{2})--N==(C_{17}H_{19}NO_{4})

forms an amorphous mass with a bronze-like luster; it is sparingly
soluble in water, freely so