890 
THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL AND TRANSACTIONS. 
[Hay 10, 1873. 
■with the latest inductions in physics, mathematics, 
and physiology; while he was an ardent and effec¬ 
tive advocate of the addition of scientific subjects to 
the traditional curricula of school and college. 
Perhaps the most perfect academic oration ever 
jpronounced was his address to the students of St. 
Andrew’s University on the occasion of his becoming 
their Lord Rector in 1867. He surveyed the whole 
realm of culture ; and while speaking respectfully of 
the old subjects of university education, he insisted on 
the claims of chemistry, physics, and social science to 
a place in the academic programme. His writings 
have done more to form the intellectual habits of the 
rising generation of professional men than those of 
any other philosopher; and his influence, beauti¬ 
fully catholic and enlightened in all its phases, will 
be remembered as operative for good at a time when 
the tendency to “ division of labour ” was encourag¬ 
ing a narrow specialism in every department of pro¬ 
fessional life. His many-sided accomplishment and 
his dispassionate spirit of inquiry were at once a re¬ 
buke and a lesson to the self-satisfied expert and 
u the giant with one idea while his large tolerance 
of every variety of belief—so long as the belief was 
honest and intelligent—was the characteristic feature 
of a mind that took nothing on trust and gave a can¬ 
did and patient hearing to every well-accredited 
arrival from the fields of scientific research. His loss 
is of more than national concern. Not only in the 
•country in which he died, but in Germany, Italy, and 
on the other side of the Atlantic, it will be felt as 
that of an intellectual guide and pioneer in all that 
affects the advancement of sound philosophy and the 
progress of civilization. 
THE DINNER AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE. 
As the time fixed for ascertaining the exact number 
■of those who will be present at this gathering is next 
Thursday, the 15tlr inst., and this is the last oppor¬ 
tunity we shall have for reminding our readers of 
the fact, it may be useful to mention that each 
Steward is requested to report on that day to the 
Honorary Secretaries the number of tickets disposed 
of. Those desirous of obtaining tickets should 
therefore make application for them as early as 
convenient befoye that time. We may add, that 
■there is every reason to believe the Dinner will in 
no respect fall short of the success attained last year 
THE APOTHECARIES’ COMPANY, DUBLIN, AND 
THE ASSOCIATION OF CHEMISTS AND 
DRUGGISTS OF IRELAND. 
We are informed by the Governor of the Apothe¬ 
caries’ Hall, Dublin, that he has received a commu¬ 
nication from the Secretary of the Association of 
Chemists and Druggists of Ireland, disclaiming on 
behalf of the members of the Society any responsi¬ 
bility for a letter which appeared in our “Correspond¬ 
ence” columns on the 19tli ult., and repudiating the 
interpretation in that letter of words attributed to 
Dr. Collins. As there appears now to be a general 
disposition to cooperate in securing for qualified 
pharmacists in Ireland a more satisfactory status than 
they have hitherto occupied, it is to be hoped that 
nothing will arise to mar the good feeling at present 
existing between the Apothecaries’ Company of Ire¬ 
land and the druggists of that country. 
POPPY CULTURE IN CHINA. 
The cultivation of the poppy and the manufacture 
of opium in China continue to increase, and the 
quality to improve, judging froqr the reports of the 
British Consuls. At the same time it is considered 
highly improbable that the Chinese product will 
ever interfere to any extent with the Indian. We 
read that “ the extension of poppy cultivation in 
Sechuen, Yunnan, and other provinces, cannot but 
indicate a corresponding increase in the consumption 
of native opium; but it is improbable that the native 
growth will ever seriously affect the consumption of 
the Indian import. Once accustomed to the superior 
flavour and potency of the latter, no opium smoker 
would dream of preferring the native variety, which, 
in fact, is employed almost exclusively for purposes 
of adulteration, or consumed by the poorer classes, 
and relinquished even by them the moment they can 
afford the higher price of the Indian drug.” 
The collection of the opium is effected in a very 
similar manner to what it is in India, the incisions 
in the poppy-lieacls, however, instead of being made 
longitudinally, are transverse, being cut round the 
entire circumference. “After the collection of the 
opium, the heads are gathered, and from the seeds 
they contain, an oil is extracted, which is used in 
lamps, and is sold for about 3d per lb. An English 
acre of ground will, in a good year, produce 110 lbs. 
of seed, which will yield about 50 lbs. of oil.” 
It is said that the poppy was introduced into the 
Niuguta district about ten years ago, from the north, 
the quality now grown being superior to any other 
of native production. 
PHARMACY IN BAVARIA. 
The total number of Bavarian pharmaceutical stu¬ 
dents at the three universities during the recent winter 
session was—at Munich, 54 ; Erlangen, 17; Wurzburg 
34 : total, 105. Besides these there were 26 students 
belonging to other countries. The population of 
Bavaria is under five millions. If these numbers be 
compared with those of pharmaceutical students in 
this country, it will be evident that much remains 
to be done before England will be on a level with 
Continental countries in the matter of pharmaceutical 
education. 
It will be seen by an advertisement in another 
part of this Journal that the office of Dispenser at 
University College Hospital will shortly be vacant, 
through the resignation of Mr. William Martin- 
dale. 
