IX 
Europe and all other parts of the scientific world, are 
busy since the appearance of Darwin’s work. 
Mineralogy . — Mr J. Muller, chemist in charge of Mr 
Ilewetson’s Laboratory, presented a highly interesting 
paper on a specimen of Madagascar Quarts containing a 
great number of sharp elongated eristals of a brownish 
colour, formed of Silica, Iron, and Manganese. 
Medecine and Iiygiena. — In looking over the British 
Periodical The Lancet which is forwarded to the Society 
regularly every month, your Secretary was much struck 
with an important notice on the use of an alcoloid prin- 
ciple extracted from .the :e Weeping Willow }} Salix Ba- 
bylonica , which is known under the name of Salicine , and 
has been successfully used in the treatment of acute 
ithumatism and Gout. 
On his suggestion Dr LeJuge kindly undertook to 
examine the subject. lie accordingly at one of the sub- 
sequent meetings read a most interesting Report. It 
contains all the information required for the administra- 
tion of Salicine of which he shewed a preparation. 
We also learnt with pleasure that a very promising 
young medical student, Mr Para, attached to the Civil 
Hospital, has made use of the remedy with excellent 
results in several cases of gout and rhumatism. 
Mr Para has also addressed a letter to your Secretary, 
who, at the same time, received one from a Pare de Fa - 
tnille speaking favourably of the properties long since 
attributed to a plant known under the name of Coca , 
Erythryxylon Coca. 
