Analysis of Socotrine and Hepatic Aloes. 221 



dante, Presto, &c. should still be used as terms of ex- 

 pression, — not as the definite characters of time. 



Suppose, for example, that a piece consists of three move- 

 ments : — the first is performed id to', 40" ; the second in 

 (i\ 30"; and the third in 8', 10". These figures being 

 written at the beginning of each respectively, will convey an 

 exact idea of the author's time to all future performers. And 

 thus a check may be put upon the licentiousness of the 

 fiddle-slick ; for some performers are so rapid in their move- 

 ments, as to neglect both taste and expression. This rapid 

 mode of playing seems to be a growing evil ; for it has been 

 said by good judges of the subject, that Handel's music 

 was performed much slower a century ago, than it is in our 

 best concerts at this time. 



St. Austin Street, 

 Sept. 23, 1810. W. 



XLT. Comparative Analysis of Socotrine and Hepatic Aloes . 

 By M. Tromsdorff. Extracted by M. Vogel*. 



Jljesides the two kind of aloes known by the name of 

 socotrine and hepatic, there are two others, one of which, 

 lucid aloes, is extremely rare, and the other, cahalline aloes, 

 is so inferior, and so variable in its qualities, that M. Troms- 

 dorff did not think it worth alluding to in his inquiries. 



After having spoken of the natural history and of the ex- 

 traction of the juice of the plant, an analysis of the two 

 kinds is given, and it is this part of his worjc that we pro- 

 ceed to notice. 



Experiments on Socotrine Aloes. 



Action of tvater. a.) Four ounces of socotrine aloes 

 pounded, were boiled with three pounds of distilled water 

 in a silver vessel. The aloes, being entirely dissolved, pre- 

 sented a transparent liquid of a deep yellow; but, when al- 

 lowed to cool, a yellow powder was precipitated. When 

 the liquor was quite cold it was decanted and filtered, and 

 a brown transparent mass remained at the bottom of the 

 vessel. 



After desiccation, this substance weighed one ounce, and 

 exhibited the following character : — 



1. ft was transparent, of a brownish yellow, very brittle, 

 and of a titter taste. 



2. It melted at a gentle heat. 



* Aivialcs de Chimir, tome lxviii. p. 11. 



3. It 



