1881. ] Microscopy. 83 
by time or by improper exposure to causes of change, and sub- 
stitutions which may be made unintentionally or without the 
knowledge of the vender, and adulterations which imply inten- 
tional debasement for the purposes of deception and gain. The 
general conclusion is reached that the drug market is so fairly 
honest that persons who really desire to obtain articles of standard 
quality, and at a proportionate price, have very little difficulty in 
being able to: do, so, and can be suited by respectable dealers 
throughout the land, while poor and adulterated articles are pres- 
ent, and are very likely to be obtained by ignorant persons or by 
those who are indifferent to the character of the dealer, and are 
desirous of regulating their purchases by the price rather than 
the quality of the goods. Crude drugs can usually be obtained 
of good quality, though many are sold, which have deteriorated 
by prolonged or careless preservation. Powdered drugs (those 
of fair quality can usually be obtained) are liable to the grossest 
adulterations, particularly those which are frequently handled 
(like spices) by both grocers and druggists. That this practice 
still continues is shown by the fact that powders are often sold 
at the price of, or at an inadequate advance upon, the crude drug, 
notwithstanding the loss incurred in drying and powdering. In- 
usions, decoctions, solid.and fluid extracts, and tinctures are all 
found to vary in strength and quality from good and indifferent 
to positively bad; some manufacturers adhering to the require- 
ments of the Pharmacopceia, while others admit inferiorities in 
order to save cost and to be able to undersell. 
Harp RussBer ZoopHyTE TrouGH.—A new zoophyte trough, 
just brought to notice, is so neat, convenient, and free from faults 
that it cannot fail to be used with pleasure. Two plates of glass, 
somewhat like glass object slides, are separated by a half ring of 
soft rubber, and clamped to- =5 3 
gether by two plates of hard 
rubber, held together by ¥ 
binding screws, and cut 
away to show the objects, as Ts 
illustrated in the engraving. 
These troughs contain many valuable features ; any thickness 
of glass can be used, and it can be easily taken out for cleaning, 
and easily replaced if broken, and the thickness of the cell can be 
varied indefinitely by using different thicknesses of sheet rubber 
between the glasses. The whole contrivance is an adaptation, in 
a most attractive and valuable form, of the troughs which have 
been used for holding living objects, and for exhibiting crystalliza- 
tion, in the projecting microscope. It can be obtained from [r. 
Walmsley, manager for R. & J. Beck, 1016 Chestnut Street, Phil- 
adelphia. 
Tue Acme Microscoprs.—John W. Sidle & Co., of Lancaster, 
Pa., have issued a catalogue which gives a fair representation 
