354 M. Felletier on Cafein. [Nov.. 



Referring to the extracts from Sir Stamford Raffles' letter 

 before given, we find only the geographical situation ofBencoo- 

 ien, and that of two or three other points to the southward, are 

 supposed to be correctly known ; and even Bencoolen, accord- 

 ing to the latest and best authorities, appears to be placed 

 upwards of twelve miles more to the eastward than it really is, 

 supposing the longitude here deduced to be correct, Which tnere 

 seems little reason to doubt. Proceeding to the northward, we 

 find Natal is considered to be in longitude 98° 40' E ; whereas, 

 according to the foregoing deductions, it is in longitude 99° 1^'; 

 so that between Bencoolen and Natal, in a difference of latitude 

 of little more than four degrees, there appears to be an error in 

 longitude of about 34 minutes. Mount Ophir, according to a 

 chart of Arrowsmith's, published ten or eleven years ago, is 

 placed in about longitude 100° 12', which is more than eleven 

 miles too far to the eastward ; Natal is in 99° 24', or 44 east of 

 the authorities before alluded to, and about 22 miles east of the 

 longitude deduced from the observations given in this report. 



From all which it will appear, I imagine, that the geographical 

 situations here deduced are of considerable value ; and, as was 

 intended, will furnish points of departure for a survey of the 

 coast and islands, as well as for navigators, who, with good 

 chronometers on board, may do much towards filling up with 

 accuracy between the points now given, the greatest difficulty 

 being to establish a position to take a departure from. Bencoo- 

 len and Mount Ophir are two excellent points ; the other prin- 

 cipal places here given are not much inferior. Pulo Gaunsah 

 Lout, if navigators could discover it, would also be among the 

 best places for taking a departure from, its position being also 

 so well laid down. 



Madras Observatory^ J« GoLDINGHAM, Astron. 



Article VI. 



On Cafein. By M. Pelletier.* 



It is well known that a white volatile crystallizable substance 

 exists in coffee : the discovery was made by M. Robiquet, and 

 stated in his analysis of coffee, read in 1821 to the Society of 

 Pharmacy. At the same period M. Caventou and I, without 

 any knowledge of the labours of M. Robiquet, also found this 

 substance in ascertaining whether coffee did not contain quina 

 or some analogous substance, coffee being similar to cinchona in 

 the natural method. M. Robiquet has stated this fact in his 

 memoir. 



• Journal de Pharmacie. 



