191 
Ohliger, Willard, reports artificial oil of bitter almonds with 
excess of chlorinated compounds. — Proc. Michigan Pharm. Ass., 1906, 
p. 18. 
Herissey outlines a method of determining small quantities of ben- 
zaldehvde, such as are produced by the hydrolysis of some glu- 
cosides. — J. de pharm. et de chim. Par., 1906. v. 23. pp. 60-65. 
Betti, Mario (Gazzetta. 1906, v. 36. ii, 127—133), discusses sponta- 
neous oxidation in the presence of benzaldehyde ; whether the func- 
tion of the latter is merely to form hydrogen peroxide or some other 
peroxide, or whether it takes part in a cycle of changes, at the end 
of which it is regenerated, is as yet undecided. — Abstr. in J. Chem. 
Soc., Lond., 1906^ v. 90, part 1. p. 985. 
BENZINUM PURIFICATUM. 
Hankey, William T., points out that the U. S. P. VIII require- 
ment for the boiling point of petroleum benzin is rather ambiguous. 
He thinks it would be more definite to state how it should distil 
when subjected to fractional distillation under prescribed condi- 
tions. — Am. Druggist, X. Y., 1906, y. 19, p. 361. 
Fernan, Albert, found the boiling point of 3 samples of benzin to 
vary from 35° to 90° C., 35° to 95° C., and 30° to 98° C. Xone of 
the samples complied with the requirement that benzin should distil 
at or below 60° C. He concludes that samples complying with the 
Ph. Germ. IV are not available. — Ztschr. d. allg. oesterr. Apotli.- 
Ver., 1906, v. 11, p. 79. 
The Helfenberger Annalen. (1905. p. 53), report on 38 barrels of 
petroleum benzin. the specific gravity of which varied from 0.719- 
0.725, at 15° C.. and also varied from the official requirement so far 
as boiling point was concerned. Otherwise the product was accept- 
able. while samples of Motor-benzin. with a specific gravity varying 
from 0.679-0.681 at 15° C., were colored yellow with bromine vapor. — 
Pharm. Zentralh., 1906, v. 17, p. 832. 
A news item reproducing additional regulations for the produc- 
tion of denatured alcohol has the following definition for the “ Ben- 
zin " that is to be used : 
The benzin submitted for approval must be a hydrocarbon product derived 
either from petroleum or coal tar. If derived from petroleum it must have a 
specific gravity of not less than 0.800. If derived from coal tar it must have 
a boiling point of not less than 150° or more than 200° C. It must be of such 
character as to impart a decided odor to ethyl alcohol when mixed with it in 
the proportion of one-half of 1 per cent by volume. — Oil, Paint and Drug Rep., 
1906, v. TO, Nov. 12, p. 10. 
An editorial records the importation of upward of 2,000.000 gal- 
lons of petroleum benzin from the Far East and offers some com- 
ments on the economic conditions prevailing. — Ibid., Jan. 8, p. 7. 
