157 



believe that the blood of venomous reptiles constitute a real antidote 

 to their virus. They have confirmed their opinion by repeated 

 experiments on guinea-pigs, when the effects of a fatal dose of the 

 poison of a viper were counteracted by an injection of four drops of 

 the blood of the snake. Mr. Bertrand finds that the serum of hedge- 

 hogs and adders possess similar antidotal properties. Should these 

 observations be further borne out by experience a new field of experi- 

 ment will be opened out in the treatment of bites from other and 

 more deadly snakes such as are common in many parts of India." — 

 {Pharmaceutical Journal.) 



TABASHEER. 



By Walter H. Ince, Ph. D., &c., &c. 



Tabasheer or Tabusheer is a white, smooth, porcelain-like substance 

 rarely found deposited in the knots of the bamboo, where it forms a saucer- 

 like layer. Owing to the fact that this deposit occurs so seldom, several 

 valuable medicinal properties have been ascribed to it. The Indian popula- 

 tion here use it as a specific against fever, malaria and ague. I have been 

 informed that the name — Tabasheer — is derived from the French " Taba- 

 tiere." This is however more than doubtful, seeing that neither the form, 

 nor the colour, nor the occurence of the substance remotely suggests any- 

 thing connected with tobacco, snuff or its uses. 



A Java variety is said by Tonningen (Jahresb. 1860, 531) to have the 

 following composition :- 

 Silica ... 



Oxide of Iron 

 Oxide of Calcium 

 Oxide of Sodium . 

 Organic Matter 

 Water ... 



86-39 

 •42 

 •24 



4 •SI 

 •51 



7-63 



100^00 



I find, however, after examining several samples that have been brought 

 to my notice, that its composition varies very considerably. They all con- 

 tain large quantities of silica, with indefinite quantities of iron, potassium 

 and calcium. From this it would seem that the substance is not a definite 

 silicate, but silica mixed with accidental quantities of other sihcates. 



The following are the results of the analyses of Tabasheer : — 



I am indebted to Mr. J. H. Hart, F.L.S., of the Royal Botanic Gardens 

 for bringing this substance first under my notice. 



