288 PIP—PIX 
No, 426.—Pirerra. Piperine. 
Cabinet specimen, Jeff. Coll. No. 539. 
A proximate principle, discovered by M. Pelletier and Mr. 
Oerstadt, in black pepper; it crystallizes from the green 
oil, in acicular crystals, in radiating grow 8; itis soluble 
in alcohol and ether; insoluble in cold, and sparingly solu- 
ble in hot water. Piperine, when perfectly free from oil 
and resin, is colourless, transparent, and insipid; it appears 
to be much more active, when united with the portion of 
oil and resin, with which it is combined in its first crys- 
tallization. It has been employed as a febrifuge tonic me- 
dicine, in intermittent and typhus fevers, and has been 
‘ used also in periodical head-aches ; its dose, from one to 
three grains. It is a very active medicine, and has been 
_ considered by M. Meli fully equal, if not superior, to the 
_ quinine, in the same doses. See Materia Indica, Vol. I. 
. page 622; also, Bulletin des Sciences Médicales, No. 4, 
Avril, 1826, page 364. 
The above article has been manufactured by Mr. George 
_'W. Carpenter, of Philadelphia, and is now in the hands 
. Of several physicians, who are about to administer it, for 
the purpose of more fully investigating its medical pro- 
perties, 
427.—PisTACHIA. 
Cl. 22. Ord. 5. Diacia Pentandria. Nat. ord. Amentacez. 
Linn. Terebintucez, Juss. — - 
Species 1.—PISTACHIA TEREBINTHUS, Chian Turpentine. 
— . » (See No. 424.) 
Oreictnat. Terebinthina Chia. Lond. Chian Turpentine. 
This tree is a native of Barbary and the South of Europe. 
apes 2.—PISTACHIA LENTISCUS. Lentisk or Mastick 
ie ree. 
_ Cabinet specimens, Jeff. Coll. No. 540—figure of the tree, 
No, 541. 
i Orricrat. Mastiche. Lond. Pistachiz Lentisci resina, Edin. 
Only used in dentristry, to fill the cavities of carious teeth, 
_ _ too much decayed to hold metal—and in the arts, to make 
___ @ beautiful transparent varnish, with which all the paint- 
ings in the Cabinet, not glazed, are covered ; it requires 
__ Previous covering of fish glue size, to protect the paper. 
No: 428.—Prx arr 
