Scientific Intelligence, $*c. 477 



3-4: silica - 53 ; water -68; loss -65. — Poggendorff's Annalen, 

 xxxvi. 473. 



Tetraphyllhi.p, — This appears to be a variety of the preceding. 

 It was obtained by Nordenskibld from Keite, in Finland. It con- 

 tains phosphoric acid 42-6; protoxide of iron 38'6; oxide of man- 

 ganese 12*1 - magnesia 1-7; lithia 8-2. — Ibid. 



XII. — Anagyris Foetida, 



This tree grows to the height of 8 or 10 feet • the leaves are ternate, 

 alternate, pubescent below, and supplied with a bifid stipula at their 

 summit. It is indigenous to Greece and the southern parts of 

 Europe. The bark, according to Peschier and Jacquemin, consists 

 of a fixed oil, chlorophylle, resin, gum, yellow colouring matter, 

 extractive and a peculiar principle. The latter also exists to a con- 

 siderable extent in the seeds. It is obtained by submitting them, 

 when dried, to the action of alcohol of -800 with the assistance of 

 heat; and the product of the digestion in alcohol of -836 ; evapor- 

 ating the liquor to the consistence of extract, dissolving the matter 

 furnished by the alcohol in water in order to separate the resin 

 and oil and evaporate to dryness. Thus prepared the principle 

 is yellow ; its taste is bitter, soluble in water and alcohol. — 

 Mernoires de la Societe de Physique et d'Histoire Naturelle de 

 Geneve, v. 75. 



XIII. — Action of Gypsum on Vegetables. 



Peschier finds that the solution of gypsum which has been re- 

 moved from the furnace is sometimes acid. 2. That the influence 

 of gypsum has no effect upon vegetables except in solution. 3. 

 That on spreading gypsum upon the leaves during rain, its decom- 

 position is effected in direct proportion to its solution, and the sur- 

 faces which the leaves present. 4. That its action upon vegetables 

 is due to the influence which the electric fluid exerts upon them, 

 and upon the chemical combination which they absorb; that from 

 the influence of this fluid the decomposition of these combinations, 

 and the formation of new products depend. Hence, the sulphuric 

 acid is set at liberty and combines with potash in the juice. 5. 

 That the electric influence is equal upon the raw and calcined gyp- 

 sum. Hence, the former is to be preferred. (3. That the roots like 

 the leaves decompose saline solutions. 7. That hydro-chlorate of 

 lime may be employed with advantage. 8. That the influence of 

 gypsum is not confined to leguminous plants. 9. That when spread 

 upon the leaves gvpsum has more influence than upon the roots. — 

 Ibid, ISO. 



XIV.— Analysis of Morbid Bile. 



Profsbob Lavini found the bile of a woman, aged 34 years, who 

 died of entero-hepatitis to consist of 



