304 REVIEWS. 



The seeds themselves possess a delicious odour -when fresh, greatly re- 

 sembling the Tonquin bean, and might possibly be used as a substitute for 

 that much-admired perfume, but they will not keep for any length of time 

 without losing their value as a scent, and turn rancid. 



Previous to the passing of those laws which forbade the adulteration of 

 snuff with Tonquin beans, these balsam seeds would, perhaps, have been ap- 

 preciated, and might have realised a price remunerative to the shippers ; 

 but with the present low value of the former, consequent upon a very limited 

 demand, I fear these seeds are not likely to be seen again in the English mar- 

 ket for many years to come, unless they shall be found to possess other vir- 

 tues than those which are so pleasingly palpable to the olfactory sense. 



The odoriferous principle of the Tonquin bean is termed Coumarline with 

 the formula C 18 H 6 4 , that of these balsam seeds is either the same or 

 something nearly analogous. A faint perfume of laurel is sometimes trace- 

 able. I have also fancied that oil of bitter almonds could be distinguished, 

 and this may be derived from the Benzole, C 14 H s a which the balsam 

 contains largely. 



When sold a few months since without reserve, these balsam seeds (three 

 bags) realized 5d. to 6d. per lb. The balsam they contain may possibly be 

 extracted by boiling, but the quality will suffer in the process, and the quan- 

 tity, doubtless, prove small in proportion to the bulk. 



Researches on the Principal Vegetable Productions of Tahiti. 

 By G. Cuzent. Rochfort: Ch. T. Lege. 



This is an admirable work, full of valuable technological information, to 

 which we would especially direct the attention of enquirers after useful prac- 

 tical information respecting tropical products, and more especially those indi- 

 genous to, and cultivated in, the Pacific Islands. Mr. Cuzent has given us the 

 results of his careful examinations and chemical analyses of most of the 

 roots, barks, woods, gums, and oils, having any economic value, and of the 

 dye-stuffs, starches, &c. ; he has also corrected many prevalent errors as to 

 plants and products, and furnished an amount of practical and recent useful 

 information respecting the Society Islands, which may be sought for in vain 

 elsewhere. 



In a conspectus of the flora of Tahiti, contributed chiefly by M. Planchir, 

 the Government botanist, we find 532 plants enumerated, of which 248 had 

 been introduced, and had become more or less naturalised. 



The Canadian Naturalist and Geologist for December con- 

 tains a paper, by Dr. Dawson, F.G.S., on the recent discoveries of gold 

 in Nova Scotia, an account of animals useful to the Indian Tribes (which 

 we have extracted), and a notice of the Parsnip Chervil. 



