164 
BRITISH PHARMACEUTICAL CONFERENCE. 
1. The crude resin as exuded from the trunk of the tree and described in 
the following words : “ Barras ou gomme concrete, adherente aux sapins 
“ ( Pinus Abies'). Produit brut servant a la fabrication de resine etc. etc.— 
“ Prix 12 francs les 100 kilogr.” 
2. The resin purified by melting in contact with the vapour of water, 
and straining. It is thus described on the label attached to the specimen : 
“ Resine jaune cuite (a vapeur d’eau a chaleur moderee) de barras de sapin 
“ ( Pinus Abies). Prix 40 francs les 100 kilogr.: production annuelle 
“ 35,000 kilogr.” 
Of these two resins, the first is not found in English commerce :—the second 
constitutes genuine Burgundy Pitch, precisely such as may be bought in the 
London market. The quantity of this purified resin produced annually, it will 
be observed is very considerable, being equivalent to 77,000 pounds, or more 
than 34 tons weight. Baron Linder is likewise an exhibitor of the crude resin 
of Pinus sylvestris , of the same in a purified state, of Oil of Turpentine, Iceland 
Moss, and a few other productions of Finland. 
The Paris Exhibition shows that true Burgundy Pitch is also produced in 
Germany. Mr. J. G. Muller of Locherberg near Oberkirch in the Grand 
Duchy of Baden has taken the trouble to exhibit an instructive and complete 
series of large specimens in illustration of the products of the Spruce Fir, com¬ 
prising : 
1. Portion of a stem of Abies excelsa about four feet long treated for the 
production of resin. This stem has had cut in it longitudinally at equal 
distances, four even and regular channels, an inch and a half wide and of 
the same depth ; from the sides of the channels, the resin exudes and is 
scraped off with an iron instrument made for the purpose. 
2. The crude resin (Roh- Harz) as scraped from the stem, contained in 
the original triangular bark-basket used in the country. 
3. Wasser Harz. —This has been obtained by boiling in water and press¬ 
ing the crude resin. It is grey and opaque, contains much water, and is 
identical with an impure but genuine Burgundy Pitch sometimes found in 
the London market. 
4. Gereinigtes Fichtenharz , Resine purijiee. —This is No. 3 in a purified 
condition, or as we should call it, True Burgundy Pitch in its purest con¬ 
dition. 
In addition to these specimens, Mr. Muller also exhibits samples of resin pre¬ 
pared for the use of brewers, who in Germany employ resin ( Brauerpech ) for 
coating the inside of beer casks. 
Another exhibitor of genuine Burgundy Pitch is Mr. Theodor Milliner of 
Hinter Briihl, Post Modling near Vienna, who shows Fichtenharz or crude resin 
of the Spruce Fir and Fichtenpech which is the same in a purified condition. 
The latter may be regarded as a type of good Burgundy Pitch. 
These contributions to the Paris Exhibition show that the resin of the Spruce 
is collected for trade purposes in Finland and in Germany,—and in the first 
named country upon a very considerable scale. It does not however appear 
that it is ever termed Burgundy Pitch in the places where it is produced. 
Although genuine Burgundy Pitch (usually, it must be admitted, in a very 
impure state) has been always obtainable in the London market, it is rarely 
found genuine in the shops,—an artificial compound being very generally sup¬ 
plied in place of it. 
This artificial Burgundy Pitch is of most variable appearance. In examining 
eight samples of it I find that in my notes I have described it as dull tawny, 
bright tawny yellow, bright yellow, brilliant orange yellow, or bright orange 
brown. Some samples have a dull wax-like fracture, others a more or less 
