154 Scientific Intelligence, Sfc. 



size of the plant ; for water rendered alkaline by carbonate of soda, 

 for instance, to the strength above mentioned, although it would at 

 the time turn reddened litmus paper blue and display its presence on 

 tumeric paper, yet, after a lapse of some hours, the water ceased to 

 possess these properties, and even the plants if cut transversely near 

 their lower part, although the alkali had been absorbed, would de- 

 note the presence of a free acid. Beneficial as were the alkalis, still 

 more visible developement ensued from those vessels wherein I had 

 placed the oxide of iron and of zinc ; these would bear a larger 

 quantity than the former, as they are less soluble in water and not 

 so abundantly absorbed — still, after some time standing it seemed 

 their solubility was increased, probably from the secretion of some 

 acid from the plant converting the oxide into salt soluble in water, 

 consequently, more readily absorbed into the plant. That plants 

 are capable of secreting an acid, or that water is capable of abstracting 

 one, cannot be doubted, as the alkaline waters, after some time 

 standing, would produce an acid effect on the tests." 



XI. — French School of Pharmacy. 



The object of this school is to teach all the sciences connected with 

 Pharmacy, and to receive such apothecaries as in 4 trials prove that 

 they possess the requisite knowledge for exercising this profession. 

 Every candidate must produce certificates of his having studied for 

 8 years — of his having attained his 25th year, and must place in the 

 hands of the treasurer the sum. of 1300 francs (<£54). Since 1830, 

 a practical school has been formed, where the students admitted by 

 competition are exercised in chemical and pharmaceutical manipula- 

 tions. The school consists of a Director, a Joint-Director, 10 

 Professors, of which 4 are Joint- Professors, and a Treasurer. The 

 chairs are Geiieral Chemistry, Bussy ; Organic Chemistry, Gaul- 

 tier de Claubry; Pharmacy, Lecanu, Chevalier; Mineralogy, 

 Pelletier; Natural History (Zoology), Guilbert; Toxicology, 

 Caventou; Physics, Soubeiran; Natural History (Vegetable), 

 Guibourt ; Botany (Organism and Physiology), Guiant ; Botany 

 (Descriptive Botany), Clarion. 



The necessary examinations are two upon theory, one of which is 

 upon the principles of the art, the other upon the botany and natural 

 history of simple drugs ; the third and fourth on the practice of the 

 art last for four days, and consist of at least 10 chemical or phar- 

 maceutical operations, which the candidate must perform himself, 

 describing the process, materials, and results. If at one of the ex- 

 aminations he is not found competent he is remanded for three 

 months. At the third trial the adjournment is for a year. The 

 interval between each examination is a month. Unless two thirds of 

 the votes are in his favour he is rejected. The examinations are 

 public. In 1835 ninety apothecaries were received. 



The existence of this establishment then enables every apothecary 

 in France to be a chemist ; while in England who ever heard of an 

 apothecary being a chemist, or of doing any thing for the improve- 

 ment of pharmacy ? This anomaly does not arise from the want of 



