292 
FCENICULUM. 
Utz asserts that fennel should contain not more than 10 per cent of 
ash. — Apoth. Ztg., Berl., 1906, v. 21, p. 930. 
An editorial note says that F oeniculum vulgare is mentioned in the 
Icelandic Pharmacopoeia of the thirteenth century. — Chem. & Drug., 
Bond., 1906, v. 69, p. 969. 
FRANGULA. 
Mitlacher, Wilhelm, describes and figures the histologic structure 
of a new adulterant of cortex frangula. He suggests the probable 
origin of the adulterant as being Rhamnus carniolica A. Kern. — 
Ztschr. d. allg. osterr. Apoth.- Ver.. Wien, 1906, v. U, pp. 1—7. 
Mitlacher, Wilhelm, outlines and describes Xestlers method for the 
demonstration of crystalline materials by sublimation, and its micro- 
chemical application to the demonstration of anthraquinone in emodin- 
containing drugs. — Pharm. Prax., 1906. v. 5, pp. 133—135. 
GAMBIR. 
An editorial says: 
Tbe reports made by various wholesale drug firms on the influence' of the 
substitution by the pharmacopoeia of gambir for catechu do not seem to agree. 
One jobber says. " our experience since the new pharmocopoeia became official 
is that nearly all orders call for gambir in place of catechu.” Another firm 
writes, “ We fail to notice any influence whatever on the relative number of 
orders for catechu and gambir since the latter became official.” A third firm 
informs us that the drug trade orders for these goods is but a small fraction of 
the amount sold to tanners, dyers, manufacturers of boiler compounds, etc. 
The latter of course know nothing of the pharmacopoeia. — Meyer Bros. Drug., 
St. Louis, 1906, v. 27, p. 376. 
Bond, John S., sr., (Xat. Drug., Sept., 1906, 288) points out that 
pharmacists should remember that gambir is an extract from the 
leaves and twigs of one plant, while catechu is an extract from the 
wood of another plant, both of which are rich in tannic acid. — Proc. 
Am. Pharm. Ass., 1907. v. 55, p. 787. 
Searbv, W. M., is at loss to understand why gambir was substituted 
for catechu, which he always preferred; lie has never had any diffi- 
culty in obtaining the latter of good quality. — Am. J. Pharm., Phila.. 
1906, v. 78, p. 212. 
An editorial reviews the gambir situation and presents figures giv- 
ing the amount imported during the past three fiscal years and the 
amount on hand in Yew York and Boston. — Oil. Paint and Drug 
Rep., 1906, v. 70, Aug. 20. p. 8. 
The Pharmacopoeia of Japan, under the general heading, Catechu, 
includes a description of (a) gambir. the dry extract which is pre- 
pared from the leaves and twigs of Ourovparici gambir Bail, and 
