584 
MISCELLANEA. 
near whose abodes it grows; and the white inner part of the stem of the full-grown 
plant, which reaches the stature of a man, is considered a delicacy when roasted and fla¬ 
voured with salt and butter. 
Ill The annual value of the asafcetida trade with Iudia is estimated in the Government Re- 
ports of the North-West Provinces at about £2200 .—From the Technologist. 
HOW THE CHINESE MAKE DWARF TREES. 
We have all known from childhood how the Chinese cramp their women’s feet, and so 
manage to make them “ keepers at homehut how they contrive to grow miniature pines 
and oaks in flower-pots for half a century has always been much of a secret. It is the 
product chiefly of skilful, long-continued root-pruning. They aim first and last at the 
seat of vigorous growth, endeavouring to weaken it as far as may consist with the pre¬ 
servation of life. They begin at the beginning. Taking a young plant (say a seedling 
or cutting of a cedar), when only two or three inches high, they cut off its taproot as 
soon as it has other rootlets enough to live upon, and replant it in a shallow earthen pot or 
pan. The end of the taproot is generally made to rest on the bottom of the pan, or on 
a flat stone within it. Alluvial clay is then put into the pot, much of it in bits the size of 
beans, and just enough in kind and quantity to furnish a scanty nourishment to the 
plant. Water enough is given to keep it in growth, but not enough to excite a vigorous 
habit. So, likewise, in the application of light and heat. As the Chinese pride them¬ 
selves on the shape of their miniature trees, they use strings, wires, and pegs, and various 
other mechanical contrivances, to promote symmetry of habit, or to fashion their pets into 
odd fancy figures. Thus, by the use of very shallow pots, the growth of the taproots is out 
of the question ; by the use of poor soil and little of it, and little water, strong growth is 
prevented. Then, too, the top and side roots being within easy reach of the gardener, 
are shortened by his pruning-knife or seared with his hot iron. So the little tree, finding 
itself headed on every side, gives up the idea of strong growth, asking only for life, and 
just growth enough to live and look well. Accordingly, each new set of leaves becomes 
more and more stunted, the buds and rootlets are diminished in proportion, and at length 
a balance is established between every part of the tree, making it a dwarf in all respects. 
In some kinds of trees this end is reached in three or four years; in others ten or fifteen 
years are necessary. Such is fancy horticulture among the Celestials .'—The Technologist , 
PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN. 
We acknowledge the reception of a pamphlet of thirty-six pages, exhibiting the present 
condition and scope of this Institution, and embracing extracts from the Charter, Pharmacy 
Act, and Bye-Laws of the Society, and the regulations of the Board of Examiners and of 
the School of Pharmacy, etc. We have not space to devote to an analysis of this pamphlet, 
but will say that it exhibits a prosperous condition of the Pharmaceutical Society, and 
an outline of the labours carried on under its auspices, in its School of Pharmacy, its 
Museum, its Laboratory, and the various examinations imposed on it by the Pharmacy 
Act, etc. With ample means, and a large and varied amount of talent in the ranks 
of its members, this Society has made great advances in the improvement of our scien¬ 
tific art, and has shed its light freely for the advantage of the profession at large.— 
American Journal of Pharmacy. 
MISCELLANEA. 
Suicide by Prussic Acid.—On Wednesday, January 27th, Mr. Humphreys held 
an inquest at the White Hart, Clipton Street, Finsbury, on the body of Mr. G. W. Head, 
aged 52.—The deceased had carried on business for many years as a chemist in Sun 
Street. He was latterly very desponding, as he had some reason to believe that his pre¬ 
mises would be taken down for the Metropolitan Railway extension. On Monday, after 
breakfast, he was apparently much dispirited, and went upstairs. At four o’clock his 
assistant found him lying on the sofa, quite dead. Dr. Chandler said he was called in to 
the deceased, and found him quite dead. On the table at the other side of the room was 
an empty phial, labelled “ Scheele’s solution of hydrocyanic acid.” By the side of the 
