Should both nitric and sulphuric acids fail to cause a reaction, the alkaloid is dissolved in ether, precipitated by an ethereal solution of oxalic acid, and the precipitate treated with a little water. If it dissolves, it probably consists of _papaverine_. CARBONIC ACID DISSOLVES THE ALKALOID. The substance is treated with ether, notice being taken if it dissolves, which is evaporated at the ordinary temperature of the air so as to prevent a loss of minute portions of the alkaloid. _Ether dissolves the alkaloid._--If nitric acid gives first a scarlet, then a yellow color, sulphuric acid a yellow, changing to red and violet, and hydrochloric acid a violet color, the alkaloid present is probably _veratrine_. If the above colorations are not produced, chlorine water is added to another portion of the substance, then ammonia; the formation of a green color, changing to violet and turning red upon a renewed addition of chlorine water, denotes the presence of _quinine_. In case all of these tests give but negative results, and the alkaloid is soluble in concentrated sulphuric acid, a solution being formed which assumes a reddish-violet tint when stirred with a glass rod previously dipped in bromine water, the presence of _delphine_. is indicated. _Ether fails to dissolve the alkaloid._--If the substance is capable of being sublimed,[N] it consists of _cinchonine_. [N] Cinchonine, when sublimed, condenses in minute brilliant needles.--_Trans._ _b. Ammonia produces a precipitate, which redissolves in an excess of the precipitant, but separates out after the lapse of an hour._ The substance is treated with cold absolute alcohol and its solubility in this menstruum noted. If it readily dissolves, it probably consists of _brucine_. The presence of this alkaloid is confirmed by applying the following tests: (1) Nitric acid imparts a blood-red color to the substance; (2) if treated with sulphuric acid, it acquires a reddish tint which subsequently changes to yellow and green; (3) chlorine at first fails to cause a coloration, but after some time a yellow color which afterwards changes to a red is produced; (4) upon treating the substance with bromine, it immediately assumes a violet tinge. In case the alkaloid is only slightly soluble in alcohol, there is reason to infer the presence of _strychnine_.