590 
THE LIGNALOE-WOOD OF MEXICO. 
favour of their proceedings, to hold meetings in its other localities, so as to enlist the 
more active sympathy and co-operation of those in business in such places, and, obtain¬ 
ing these, to call another general meeting for the purpose of drawing up the rules and 
transacting the necessary preliminaries of fully starting the Association. As far as he 
was concerned, he would be but too happy to render all the assistance in his power, and 
he thought he might safely venture to say that they would have the fullest sympathy of 
• the Council of the Pharmaceutical Society. He could not say or see how far it could 
render any active support, but if this could be consistently done, they might fully hope 
for it. After an interesting discussion, in which the Chairman, Messrs. Harvey, Gittoes, 
and others took part, it was resolved to hold an early meeting at West Bromwich, in 
order to ascertain the feelings and opinions of the chemists and druggists of that place 
as to the formation of, and support which they would give to, the Association. After a 
vote of thanks to Mr. Hollier and the Chairman, it was left with Messrs. Horton and 
Harvey to take any steps they considered proper for the holding of the meeting at West 
Bromwich, and that they should, at their discretion, invite any other gentleman to attend 
whose presence would give weight and interest to the meeting. 
ORIGINAL AND EXTRACTED ARTICLES. 
THE PETROLEUM ACT. 
TO THE EDITOR OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL. 
Sir,—I beg to enclose a copy of a letter which I have received from the 
Under-Secretary of State with reference to the hardship inflicted upon me, as 
the manufacturer of Benzine Collas, and upon the retail Chemists and Drug¬ 
gists generally, by the “ Petroleum Act, 1868.” Mr. Liddell’s letter will give 
great satisfaction to all parties concerned, and in particular to the President 
and Members of the Council of the Pharmaceutical Society, who so kindly and 
cordially assisted me in bringing the matter under the notice of the Secretary 
of State. I need not further allude to the deputation which they formed to 
wait upon Mr. Liddell, than to point out tc those of your readers who may not 
have observed it, that an interesting account of the interview is contained in 
your last number, which appeared, however, before the letter from the Home 
Office reached me. 
Will you permit me, in conclusion, to express a hope that the Chemists and 
Druggists throughout the country will comply with the requirements of the 
Act, as long as it remains in force, there being now every reason to hope that 
the desired amendment will be speedily obtained. 
I am, Sir, yours obediently, 
Brentford , March 18, 1869. E. Thomas. 
From the Under-Secretary of State to Mr. Thomas , the Proprietor of the Benzine 
Collas. 
“ Whitehall , 2 March , 1869. 
“ Sir,—I am directed by Mr. Secretary Bruce to acknowledge the receipt of your 
letter of the 27th ultimo, and to inform you that a short Bill will be introduced into 
Parliament to remove the grievance of which you complain. 
“ I am, Sir, your obedient servant, 
“ Mr. E. Thomas, Brentford “A. F. 0. Liddell. 
THE LIGNALOE-WOOD OF MEXICO. 
BY JAMES COLLINS (CURATOR OF THE MUSEUM). 
Among recent donations to the Museum of the Pharmaceutical Society, 
recorded in the November number of this Journal, are specimens of a wood 
