149 
PHARMACY AT THE DUPLIN EXHIBITION. 
Victoria sends, among a collection of products wliicli appear to typify 
almost the entire natural resources of this important colony, a great many 
t lings connected with pharmacy. In noticing the most interesting of these, 
1 have much pleasure in bearing testimony to the courtesy of the gentleman 
o whose charge they have been entrusted, and who has been at considerable 
pams to afford me the information which I required, and to facilitate my ex¬ 
amination ot the specimens. I make no invidious distinction, when I say that 
that comparatively small section of the public, which, in visiting the Exhibi- 
lon, troubles itsell about the minute examination of the contents of the 
glass-cases, would, be much benefited by the at least occasional attendance of 
exhibitors, or their delegates, in the Foreign Courts. 
Mr. J. Bosisto, Melbourne, sends some specimens of essential oils, which 
are quite new to this country. That of Amygdalina odorata is said to be sent 
to London, and used in perfumery. Oil of the bark of Atherosperma mos- 
chata is stated to be used in the colonial hospitals as a diaphoretic, diuretic, 
and sedative, and ‘‘ appears to exercise a specific lowering influence on the 
action ot the heart. The dose in which it is administered is from one to two 
d 1 °ps at intervals of six or eight hours. The oil of the leaves of the same 
plant possessed similar properties, but in a less degree. Essential oil of Me¬ 
laleuca ericifolia (“Australian Cajuput”): the note referring to this oil, in 
Mr. Bosisto’s circular, states, that it is “ equal in effect to the oil of Melaleuca 
leucadendron. _ I have not yet had time to devote to any detailed examina¬ 
tion ot these oils, of which samples have been very kindly placed at my dis¬ 
posal, but they are all wonderfully alike in odour and general character. It 
is, lion ever, just possible that one or two of them may find an application as 
perfumes foi soap, and the Cajuput oil deserves to be made the subject of 
experiment. 
Mi . dJoardman, of JNunawading, also sends a collection of essential oils, 
which includes some of those already mentioned, and in addition oil of Euca¬ 
lyptus corymbosa, oil of caraway, and oil of peppermint. This last is far 
superior in quality to the finest American oil I have ever seen, and might 
fairly be put into competition with English ; the price is 40s. per lb. The Vic¬ 
torian catalogue gives also some other prices; that of the oil of Eucalyptus 
amygdalina is 3s. per lb.; of Eucalyptus corymbosa, 6s.; the oil of Melaieuea, 
20s. I he latter at this price is not likely to supersede genuine Cajuput oil. 
Some interesting Gums are also exhibited in the Victorian department. 
Those from Eucalyptus odorata and fabrorum are stated to be soluble in 
water, and applicable for tanning purposes. Gum Eucalyptus rostrata (red 
gum) is astringent, and recommended as a substitute for kino. A notice of 
this gum appeared some years ago in the Journal, and it is, I see, now adver¬ 
tised as gumma rubra. Chevallier says that it is inferior to kino in medi¬ 
cinal value. The resin of Eanthorrcea australis] is soluble in spirit, “ leaves 
a bright red polish^on wood, when used as French polish ; contains cinnamic 
and benzoic acids. I he action of concentrated nitric acid on this gum gives 
rise, as is well known, to picric acid. 
Among other specimens shown are balsam of Amygdalina odorata (by 
distilling the leaves), berries of Drimys aromatica, or “Australian Pepper,” 
leaves oi' Senecio Bedfordii, the under surface of which is covered with a 
thick white down, the use of which as a paper material is suggested. One 
pound of leaves gives about an ounce of this white flock. The other speci¬ 
mens are Wattle Galls, resin of Callitris verrucosa, bark of Atherosperma 
moschata, and very good native-grown Bose leaves. Hood and Co:, Mel¬ 
bourne, send a very good collection of chemical products, among which there 
is of course nothing novel, but many of them will bear comnarison with the 
best preparations of English manufacture. 
