*158 
Tunmann, D., reports that out of 10 samples of (German) hem- 
lock herb only 6 were free from adulteration. Ke recommends the 
deletion of the herb from the Ph. Germ. — Pharm. Zentralh., 1905, 
v. 46, p. 879. 
COPAIBA. 
Francis, John M., has met with many samples of copaiba that fell 
below the minimum limit of specific gravity (0.950). Of 19 samples 
examined, 8 ranged in specific gravity from 0.938 to 0.924. He 
believes that the American trade favors a light-colored copaiba, 
and this he asserts is synonymous with low specific gravity. The 
U. S. P., VIII, test for gurjun balsam he believes to be too delicate, 
and hence unreliable. He also points out that the condensation 
of copaiba balsam develops some constituent which responds to the 
test for gurjun balsam. — Bull. Pharm., Detroit, 1905, v. 19, p. 450. 
Caeser and Loretz suggest the limitations of specific gravity at 
15° C. as being between 0.970 and 0.990. They believe the ammonia 
test to be a more reliable indication of the purity of copaiba than the 
determination of the saponification and acid numbers, and that the 
latter is useless unless it has been shown that both resin and gurjun 
balsam are absent— Geschafts-Bericht von Caeser & Loretz, in Halle, 
a. S., 1905, p. 76. 
Vanderkleed, Charles E., reports 1 out of 6 samples examined 
as being adulterated.— Proc. Penna. Pharm. Ass., 1905, p. 54. 
lYetterstroem, T., reports 5 samples examined — one U. S. P. Three 
contained gurjun balsam and one was fictitious. 
Gane reports an unusually high proportion of volatile oil (84 per 
cent). — -Proc. Am. Pharm. Ass., 1905, v. 53, p. 184. 
The inspectors of pharmacies in Belgium found copaiba adulterated 
with fatty oils and gurjun balsam. — Bull. Soc. Boy. de Pharm. de 
Bruxelles, 1905, v. 49, p. 307. 
Schimmel & Co. report on the examination of Para. Bahia, and 
Angostura copaiba.— Schimmel & Co. Semi- Ann. Bep., 1905, April- 
May, pp. 24—26. 
Kline, C. M., discusses the introduction of African balsam, its use 
as an adulterant and its possible use as a medicinal agent. He con- 
cludes that African copaiba is the product of a genuine copaiba, 
closely related to the South American variety, and that there is 
clinical proof to support the assertion that when sold under its own 
name it should be granted a legitimate position in the materia 
medica. — Am. J. Pharm., Phila., 1905, v. 77, pp. 185-188. 
Schimmel & Co. publish an abstract (from J. de la Parfum et Sav. 
Franc., 1905, v. 18) which contains some account of the production of 
gurjun balsam, its origin and its uses. — Schimmel & Co. Semi- Ann. 
Bep., 1905, April-May, p. 48-49. 
