THE ALUMNI JOURNAL. 



223 



obtained. A somewhat similar process has just 

 been introduced into Venezuela for the extrac- 

 tion of balata gum. Here the bark as well is 

 extracted and the yield from the tree is nearly 

 one hundred times greater than by the old na- 

 tive process. In other words, the natives lose 

 about gS per cent, of the product which is ob- 

 tained by the new process. 



In the Therapeutic Gazette, (Aug. 15, 462) 

 there is presented a resume of the studies of E- 

 Stadelmann, concerning chologogues. Dr. 

 Stadelman concludes that "purgatives and dras- 

 tics" are not chologogues. and enumerates 

 among these, jalap, convolvulin, rhubarb, pod- 

 ophyllin, scammony, calomel and olive oil. 

 The results of such publications as this are well 

 calculated to bring "scientific investigations" 

 into contempt. There is an easier way than 

 studying Dr. Stadelmann to ascertain that these 

 substances are chologogues and it has been fol- 

 lowed with unquestionably accurate results by 

 every physician. Dr. Stadelmann concludes 

 that bile and bile salts are the most certain of 

 chologogues. Salicylic acid and sodium salicyl- 

 ate are also highly recommended. He believes 

 that chologogues should not be used in cases of 

 obstruction, as by gallstones. 



THE MAKING OF A HERBARIUH.^ 



By Cr.EMENT B. LOWE, Ph.G., M. D., 



Query : A series of practical suggestions are 

 wanted as to the best method of collecting , 

 identifying a7id preserving plants for a her- 

 barium ? 



In answering the above query I would state 

 that it is a pity that more pharmacists are not 

 interested in field botany, as, aside from the 

 valuable information thus to be obtained, the 

 collection of plants is a healthful occupation, 

 and tends to give the outdoor exeicise which so 

 many of them need. 



In collecting plants a suitable receptacle for 

 containing them is necessary, which should be 

 as nearly air tight as possible, so that the con- 

 tents can be kept fresh for several days. A 

 japanned tin box about 17 inches long by 7 

 inches wide and 4 inches deep, with a lid open- 

 ing nearly the length of the flat side, suspended 

 jVom the shoulder by a strap, will answer the 

 purpose well. 



Many prefer to take a stout portfolio either 

 hinged on one side or fastened on both sides 



* Read before the Pennsylvania Pharmaceutical Asso- 

 ciation at Mount Holly Springs. 



with straps, containing numerous sheets of ab- 

 sorbent paper, and transfer the plants directly 

 to it, as by so doing any injury to the plants is 

 avoided, and the whole can be transferred di- 

 rectly to the press on reaching home. 



A knife or trowel for digging is of great use; 

 the best is probably a trowel in which the V 

 shaped grooved blade is driven directly into the 

 handle. Professor Maisch used to carry a con- 

 venient cane ^vith a nickel plated handle shaped 

 like a narrow grubbing hoe. 



SEI.ECTION OF SPECIMENS. 



In collecting plants care should be taken to 

 collect specimens which are typical of the 

 species, and yet variations from the typical 

 form are also instructive and can be mounted 

 by their side. 



We always desire to obtain the inflorescence, 

 and frequently also the fruit, as in some cases 

 the latter is quite as or more important than the 

 flowers, as in the caseof theumbelliferfe, where 

 the distinction between the genera is based 

 largely upon the fruit. 



In the case of many plants the radical (root) 

 leaves should be gathered, as they are more 

 characteristic than those growing upon the 

 stem — e.g., shepherd's purse has the root leaves 

 clu.stered, and pinatified or toothed; while the 

 stem leaves are arrow-shaped and sessile. 



The root or rhizome should generally be 

 gathered, as in a number of cases it is the offic- 

 ial part of the plant, and it frequently has 

 prominent characteristics; in the case of rare 

 plants it is best not to do so, as some herba- 

 ceous perennials, like senega, have in this way 

 been almost exterminated. 



There is often quite a choice as to where your 

 botanical excursion shall be made, different re- 

 gions showing diff"erent floras. Those living in 

 the neighborhood of Philadelphia will find quite 

 a diffierence between the floras of Pennsylvania 

 and New Jersey, and no herbarium of this re- 

 gion would be complete without representatives 

 from both localities. 



EXAMINATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF PLANTS 

 After the plants are collected, the next step 

 is their examination and the identification of 

 unknown species. To do this successfully one 

 should have a sharp penknife, a pair of dissect- 

 ing needles, a pair of pincettes and a dissecting 

 microscope, the best of the latter being one 

 which has immovable hand rests, like Barnes', 

 although Sayre's dissecting microscope, while 

 not so convenient in the laboratory, can be 

 used in the field as well. 



