OOMPOSITA. 301 
iteis difficult to distinguish the one from the other after 
- admixture, which imparts to the false the odour of the true 
- drug), but with other foreign substances of which cowdung is 
4 one, that I have ascertained as a fact that the more unscrupu- 
 Jous dealers use some 20 seers of the Kiit to flavour 100 seers 
of trash. When tut was first found useful as an admixture, it 
was soldat Re. 14 per maund ; being now the main ingredient 
of the Patchak of commerce, it has risen to Rs. 43.. I am 
told that two other substances, resembling the genuine article 
in exterior appearance, have been ascertained to serve as In- 
_ gredients in the mixture sent to Calcutta and Bombay for 
pes Popsesses & musty odour, and gives an in 
exportation to China under the name of Patchak. They are, a 
root called Chog, brought from the hills, which is generally 
reported to be a deleterious drug, and Nirbisf, tbe, Feat of a 
species of Aconitum, probably a virulent poison.” (Cooke 
_in Phar. Jour., July 21st, 1877.) With regard to Mr. Cope’s 
- remarks, we may mention that there is no difficulty in_obtain- 
ing genuine parcels of Costus in Bombay. Perhaps the adul- 
_ terated article may be specially prepared for the China market. 
Chemical composition.—The air-dried roots reduced to 
_ powder, after heating for 26 hours to 100°C., lost 13°70 per 
cent, in weight, and were practically free from odour. The ash 
amounted to 3°46 per cent., and contained manganese in marked 
amount, 
The odorous principle of the drug appears to consist of two 
liquid resins, both soluble in ether, alcohol, and benzene. One 
is neutral in reaction, and possesses in a very marked degree 
the odour* of the drug: the taste is somewhat camphoraceous : 
_ it is liquid at ordinary temperatures, amber-coloured, and after 
standing for some time gives an indistinctly crystalline deposit. 
It is apparently unaltered by agitation with dilute caustic 
alkaline solutions; and-may be distilled without any alteration 
in odour. With concentrated sulphuric acid it first affords a — 
deep brownish yellow coloration, changing to rich carmine 0D — 
standing. The other resin is also liquid, amber-colonred ane 
soe | 
eA mixture of musk and orris fee * 
