PHARMACEUTICAL MEETING. 
195 
8 . Give the formula representing the composition of nitrous ether. Describe the best 
method of producing the ether, the reactions which occur in its production, its 
properties, and the changes to which it is subject. 
Medal .Michael Carteighe, 
Certificate of Honour ...Charles Umney. 
BOTANY AND MATERIA MEDICA. 
Professor Bentley said that his duty, like that of his colleague, was a most 
gratifying one on the present occasion, as he had, as in past years, when called 
upon to announce the results of the examination, to speak in very high terms of 
the several competitors for the prizes, and of the conduct and diligence of his 
class generally. He was quite satisfied ; indeed, from long experience as a 
teacher in many institutions, he must add that in none of them had he found 
more zealous, better conducted, and attentive students than in the Pharmaceu¬ 
tical Society. He agreed with Dr. Redwood in reference to the numbers attend¬ 
ing the lectures. He would much prefer lecturing to two or three hundred 
than to forty or fifty students ; but when he compared the last session with the 
one preceding, he found no small increase in numbers, and he thought the fact 
of between sixty and seventy students coming forward voluntarily during that 
period to attend lectures was a most gratifying and encouraging one, and 
augured well for the future. With regard to the last session, Professor Bentley 
felt bound to speak of the uniform good conduct of the students, both at the 
lectures in Bloomsbury Square and at the Royal Botanic Gardens. This fact 
Avas a most gratifying one to him, as he felt sure it must be also to the Council. 
Neither at the Pharmaceutical Society nor at the Botanic Gardens had the stu¬ 
dents committed to his charge ever abused the trust reposed in them ; and al¬ 
though he could not speak from so long an experience as Dr. Redwood, yet he 
could affirm that during the fifteen years he had been connected with the school, 
he had never had to make any complaint of importance against them. Professor 
Bentley then announced that Mr. Michael Carteighe was the first in order of 
merit at the Prize Examination. Of this gentleman he could truly say that he 
was an ornament to his teachers and to the school in which he was educated, 
and he felt sure that he Avould distinguish himself in his future career. The 
value of his answers at the written examination was at least equal to that he 
had ever met with in any institution, and in the viva voce examination he had 
taken the highest value allotted to the answers. The Council had therefore 
aAvarded him the medal, and there could be no doubt that he had earned it 
honestly, and fully merited the distinction. Of Messrs. Watts and Umney, the 
two next in order of merit, he could also speak in high terms. He trusted that 
students of such merit would always compete in these examinations. The an¬ 
swers of both were most creditable, and there was but little difference in 
the value attached to them, although Mr. Watts had slightly the advantage. 
Much credit was also due to Mr. Phillips, who had obtained a certificate of merit. 
Professor Bentley concluded by saying that he coiucided Avith Dr. Redwood on 
the necessity of instituting a high standard, which must be reached before prizes 
or certificates could be awarded. 
The questions for the written examination Avere as follows:— 
1. Describe the structure, form, and size of Starch Granules; and show how West Indian 
arrow-root or Maranta starch may be distinguished from sago-meal and potato- 
starch. 
2. Describe briefly the internal structure of the Wood of a Dicotyledonous stem. 
o. Define the following:—Hair, Prickle, Spine, Rhizome, Corm, Bulb, Panicle, Capitu- 
lum, Umbel, Thalamus, Receptacle, and Legume. 
I. Give a brief sketch of the changes which the Sap undergoes in the leaves and other 
