Miscellanies. 191 



Couerbe's method Is to make an alcoholic extract from which al- 

 cohol is distilled off, and this brownish red extract is now boiled with 

 water acidulated with sulphuric acid, until a mineral alkali does not 

 indicate any precipitate ; by adding now a solution of potassa or 

 ammonia, the base or veratria is precipitated in its yet impure state. 



For obtaining it still purer, it is dissolved in very diluted sulphu- 

 ric acid, and to the sulphate of veratria, so obtained, are added 

 some drops of nitric acid, and the liquor is decomposed by po- 

 tassa dissolved, and we obtain the alkaline matter, which is washed 

 with cold water, and redissolved again with boiling alcohol. Sec. 

 Simon's method, however, as described in the Berlin Annals, is 

 very simple ; the seed is treated with boiling alcohol, which is dis- 

 tilled off afterwards, and the extract boiled with water acidulated 

 with sulphuric acid, until subcarbonate of soda will no more pro- 

 duce a precipitate ; the whole liquor is set aside for settling, during 

 which period, the oil of sabadilla is separated and filtered from it, 

 and then it is precipitated by subcarbonate of soda, so as to leave 

 the fluid alkali ; then put the kettle over the fire when the froth will 

 at once be removed ; before it begins to boil, veratria coagulates to- 

 gether, and may easily be removed. It is washed out with water, 

 and discolored in the following manner : after having dissolved it in 

 boiling alcohol, add then animal charcoal, and after agitating for 

 some time, filter the fluid, which will, at last, become quite clear ; 

 evaporate the spirits of wine over a sand bath, and the remaining 

 mass in a porcelain dish by means of water vapors. It is obvious 

 now, in what an improved manner veratria may be obtained by this 

 last process ; according to the first, when the veratria was filtered 

 off, and washed out with water and then redissolved again, concen- 

 trated and precipitated again with soda, the alkaloid was separated 

 by pressing it between blotting paper, and must naturally suffer a 

 great loss in the product ; whereas in the latter, the alkaloid is sepa- 

 rated from its acid solution, and it runs from itself by means of heat 

 in the basic fluid to Its proper substance. The product by the form- 

 er process, was forty grains from the ounce of clear seed, and that 

 obtained by the last process is fifty four grains, which is thirty three 

 per cent more. 



47. Impressions of the feet of Mammalia in Sandstone, (gres 

 bigarre) — Extract of a letter to the editor, from Dr. Mantell, dated 

 Brighton, England, Aug. 24, 1835. — A very interesting discovery 



