Chemical Science, 173f 



of lime, carbonate of potash, silex ; the first also, muriate of 

 potash ; and the white hellebore sulphate of lime. 



The colchicum was examined precisely in the same manner, 

 and gave the same results, with the addition, however, of 

 inuline. The ashes were in such small quantity as to be 

 neglected. — Annates de Chimie, iv. p. 69. 



Dr. Meissner, also claims to have discovered in cevadilla, a 

 new alcali. He prepares it by making a tincture of the seeds 

 with moderately strong alcohol, evaporating till a resinous 

 matter remains, and rubbing the matter down with water ; to 

 the brown liquid obtained by filtration subcarbonate of potash 

 is added, till precipitation ceases; the precipitated matter is then 

 well-washed in water and dried. — Journal de Pharmacies Mai, 

 1820. 



2. Benzoic Acid. — M. Vogel has found this acid in the tonquin- 

 bean between the skin and the kernel. It occurs in the form 

 of crystals ; these melt, at a moderate heat, into a transparent 

 fluid, which on cooling forms a crystallized mass. At a higher 

 heat it sublimes and forms fine brilliant needles, which are 

 similar in smell to the bean. A concentrated solution of them 

 in alcohol reddens litmus paper, and becomes milky with 

 water. They form a salt with ammonia which precipitates iron 

 of a brown colour. In fine, they are crystallized benzoic acid. 



M. Vogel has also found the same substance in the flowers 

 of the trifolium melilotus officinalis. He obtained it by di- 

 gesting the flowers in pure boiling alcohol ; on cooling a fatty 

 substance falls, and in two or three days long crystals of 

 benzoic acid. To separate these substances they are digested 

 in boiling water, and the liquid filtered, the acid passes through 

 in solution, and when slightly evaporated yields the benzoic 

 acid in crystals. 



3. Antiseptic Power of the Pyroligneous Acid. — Results of 

 some experiments, made by Mr. W. Ramsey. — See Edinburgh 

 Phil Journal, iii. p. 21. 



A number of herrings were cleaned on the 10th of July, 1819; 

 and without being salted, were immersed for three hours in 

 distilled pyroligneous acid, specific gravity 1012. When 



