354 
about 30 per cent, was removable by sifting, but the other, consisting 
of rotten wood apparently, was hopeless. A sample of “ substitute ” 
submitted for inspection consisted of starch, pollen, and spores. — 
Analytical Notes for 1906, 1907, p. 23. 
G. Hell & Co., in Troppau, report that the ash content of five sam- 
ples of lycopodium varied from 1.28 to 1.80 per cent. — Pharm. Post, 
Wien, 1906, v. 39, p. 181. 
Gehe & Co. (Pharm. Ztg. li, No. 36, 1906, 402; from Gehe & Co.; 
Fruhjarsb. 1906) call attention to a number of adulterations of 
lycopodium recently observed. One sample was composed exclu- 
sively of pine pollen, another of maize strach, which had probably 
been subjected to a toasting process, and then colored with methyl 
orange. — Proc. Am. Pharm. Ass., 1906, v. 54, p. 725. 
Gallois, Ch., describes an adulterant of lycopodium that is said to 
be difficult to detect by simple inspection. The material is partially 
soluble in alcohol, ether, and chloroform and is said to be prepared by 
the action of ammonia on a dry Austrian resin. — J. de pharm. et de 
chim., Par., 1906, v. 23, pp. 242-244. 
MAGMA MAGNESIJE N. F. 
Caldwell, Paul, recommends heating and pouring the magnesium 
sulphate solution into the solution of sodium hydroxide in preparing 
magnesia magma. He also recommends beating or churning the 
resulting magma so as to have it “ stand up ” better. — Drug. Circ. & 
Chem. Gaz., N. Y., 1906, v. 50, p. 393. 
MAGNESII CARBONAS. 
Davis, W. A., presents an exhaustive paper on the magnesium car- 
bonates. He says the possibility that most, if not all, of the basic 
carbonates are mixtures of several substances does not seem to have 
occurred to anyone hitherto. The only hint to be found in the litera- 
ture that such is the case would appear to be the description given in 
the Ph. Brit, of magnesia alba as consisting of “ amorphous particles 
.with numerous slender prisms intermixed.” — J. Soc. Chem. Ind., 
Bond., 1906, v. 25, pp. 788-798. 
The Ph. Brit. Committee of Reference in Pharmacy report on mag- 
nesium carbonate points out that the composition varies and can not 
be represented by a definite formula. — Chem. & Drug., Bond., 1906, 
v. 69, p. 864. 
Wiebelitz, H., asserts that in the test for alkali carbonates in mag- 
nesium carbonate the solution should be directed to be filtered hot, as 
magnesium carbonate is less soluble in hot than in cold water. He 
discusses the tests for iron and asserts that a sample that will yield a 
clear, colorless solution, 1-10, with diluted hydrochloric acid is 
