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THE AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACY. 
T. Belerica. — Not more than three-quarters of an inch long ; in shape a roundish 
ball, narrowed into a short stalk, slightly ribbed, in some instances smooth ; colour, a 
dark under layer of gamboge, slightly covered over with brown umber. 
T. Citrini. — Yery like T. Chebula. It is oblong or lanceolate ; colour, like a citron, 
with dark spots scattered over it. 
Vegetable dyes for leather are still generally adhered to, although dyes from the tar 
products have materially changed the old dye materials for other purposes, but for 
leather the vegetable dyes are proved to be more durable and softer looking in the several 
rays of colour. The Carthamus Tinctorus, or Safflower — an annual, easy of cultivation, 
and reared from seed, flowers abundantly, and requires but little attention — is entirely 
neglected in its growth here, possibly for the want of the knowledge of preparing it for 
market. The following is the process employed. The flowers contain two colouring prin- 
ciples — a yellow and a red. To make Safflower marketable the yellow must be extracted ; 
if left, it would detract from its value. To obtain the yellow the flowers must be soaked 
in water from twelve to twenty-four hours, afterwards trampled with the feet, occasionally 
watering, so as to remove the whole of the yellow colouring, the red remaining being 
insoluble in water. The flowers being in a semi-pulpy condition are then pressed and 
dried in the sun. You have then Safflower ready for the market. The yellow 
colouring is scarcely ever used for dyeing. 
To continue obtaining many of oar vegetable tan and dye materials from outside 
sources when we have soil, aspect, elevation, and climate adapted for their growth will 
not increase the productions of Victoria, nor add to the wealth of those who till the 
soil. These suggestions are therefore made. 
PHARMACY AND PHARMACEUTICAL EDUCATION IN 
AUSTRALIA. 
By C. R. Blackett. 
President of the Pharmacy Board of Victoria , lion. Mem. Ph. Soc. of Austria, 
4rc.i fyc. 
The question of Pharmaceutical Education is one that has occupied us, and will 
still more claim our earnest attention in the future ; the great object towards which we 
ought to strive now should be a uniform system of training, teaching, and examination 
throughout Australasia. Our friends in New South Wales would seem to be alive to 
this pressing importance, and have summoned a conference, to be held at Sydney, for the 
purpose of discussing the various points of difference and difficulty. It is much to be 
thankful for, especially as New South Wales, being the oldest colony, very properly ought 
to take the lead, and Victoria will quite loyally and warmly afford all possible help and 
sympathy. It is fortunate that our brethren in New South Wales have decided upon 
holding a Pharmaceutical Conference at an early date. It is, perhaps, of more import- 
ance to the sister colony, as at present they are untrammelled by a Pharmacy Act. 
Legislation is all before them what to choose. They can most advantageously associate 
themselves in demanding the attention of the Government to this question, and in the 
light of the experience of Victoria, Queensland, and New Zealand, ought to obtain an act 
that will tend to do for Pharmacy in New South Wales what it has more or less success- 
fully and happily done in Victoria — viz., the improvement of the condition and extension 
of the scientific education of the future generation of pharmacists. Above all things, it 
is earnestly to be hoped they all will unite with a large-hearted, broad-minded deter- 
mination to sink all secondary and petty questions in the effort to attain something 
approaching uniformity of laws, and concordant curricula of education, and methods of 
examination, that Sydney should not differ from Melbourne more than London does 
from Edinburgh. 
Lands intersected by a narrow frith abhor each other, 
said the poet ; but we are of earth’s best and youngest blood, and under the same sceptre, 
and all speak “ the language Shakespeare spoke.” The primary consideration to be kept 
in view at the Conference will be : — 
1. That there be a Preliminary Examination before apprenticeship. 
2. That the apprenticeship be of four years’ duration. 
