246 
like substance. — Ztsclir. f. Enters. d. Xahr. u. Genussm., 1905, v. 9, 
p. 229. 
Jean, F. (Ann. de Ckim. analyt. v. 9, pp. 423-425), describes two 
powders that closely resemble black and white pepper and are being 
sold in France under the respective names of Le Griffon and Le Mito. 
These powders are stated to consist of vetch, popularly known as 
“ Chere aux pigeons,” and are thus very similar to the pepper substi- 
tute sold as Erviop (Analyst, v. 29, p. 309). — Analyst, London, 1905, 
v. 30, p. 22. 
PIPEBINA. 
Reichard reviews the reactions and tests that have been proposed 
for piperine and presents a study of the behavior of this alkaloid 
with a number of well-known reagents. — Pharm. Zentralh., 1905, 
v. 46, p. 935. 
PIX LIQUIDA. 
An editorial characterizes the syrup of tar as a relic of barbarism 
that would not have been missed from the pharmacopoeia. — Drug 
Topics, X. Y., 1905, v. 20, p. 216. 
PLUMBUM. 
Dittrich and Reise (Berichte, 1905, v. 38. pp. 1829-1831) discuss 
the determination of lead by persulphate in acid solution, and believe 
that this mode of precipitation is much more rapid than the usual 
precipitation by sulphuric acid and alcohol, and is equally accurate. 
Xo other metals are carried down with the lead. — Abstr. in J. Soc. 
Chem. Ind., Lond., 1905, v. 24, p. 691. 
Belton. F. G. (Chem. Xews. 1905, v. 91, p. 191), points out that the 
determination of lead as sulphate, in the presence of potassium salts, 
often leads to too high results, due to the formation of a lead potas- 
sium sulphate. He recommends that the precipitation of the lead as 
sulphate should take place at boiling heat, and that excess of sul- 
phuric acid should be used. — Abstr.. Ibid ., p. 561. 
PLUMBI ACETAS. 
Patch, Edgar L.. reports finding lead acetate badly carbonated. 
He found none that corresponded perfectly with the U. S. P.. VIII. 
Proc. Am. Pharm. Ass., 1905, v. 53, p. 185. 
PLUMBI OXIDUM. 
An abstract from the Helfenberger Annalen points out that of 
eight samples of lead oxide examined six complied with the require- 
ments of the German Pharmacopoeia. Seven of the samples con- 
