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THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL AND TRANSACTIONS. [February io, 1672. 
it. In the same way illustrations of chemical apparatus 
and processes would have a high value, as well as all 
chemical substances, even although not of present value 
in pharmacy. 
In short, it is wished to make this plain to the Society, 
that although there exists an excellent nucleus round 
which the museum may form, the collections are hut in 
a state of infancy, and capable of almost indefinite exten¬ 
sion, at very little expense to the funds, and requiring no 
excessive exertion on the part of members, if a consider¬ 
able number are willing to take a share in procuring 
contributions. Scarcely anything can come amiss to a 
museum with such a limited stock, and where many of 
the specimens have been exposed to the tear and wear of 
twenty years, and in that time have done duty as terrors 
to generations of candidates for pharmaceutical honours. 
Hut although all manner of specimens would be welcome, 
it is most desirable that some systematic attempt should 
he made to get a complete set of typical specimens in the 
first place; and while the interest of all in procuring spe¬ 
cimens should he stimulated, some one should see to 
make application in special directions for desiderata that 
may be supplied therefrom. 
I believe the museum of the parent Society in London 
could do much towards supplying many of the wants of 
the Edinburgh museum ; and, on the principle of helping 
first those of our own household, it should be prepared to 
do so. I do not say this from personal knowledge or 
inspection of that museum, but rather from what I know 
of the manner in which all such institutions grow, and 
the accumulation of duplicate specimens that burden 
them in spite of themselves. Besides, as small quantities 
only are required for such collections as that here, those 
can often be spared without detriment to the parent spe¬ 
cimen. Doubtless, if the goodwill and interest of the 
authorities in charge of the London museum were 
secured, and sanction procured to hand over duplicates 
to this museum, it would be a good investment to have 
some one on the spot to select, pack and dispatch such 
of their stores as they might be willing to yield up. 
At any .rate this is a matter worthy of attention. 
I trust the North British Branch may soon be es¬ 
tablished in quarters worthy of its position, and that it 
may have both a library and museum of which its mem¬ 
bers will justly be proud, and that with these it may go 
on in a career of advancement and extended usefulness 
yet undreamt of in its annals. 
At the close of the paper the Chairman, in proposing 
a vote of thanks, made some remarks upon the present 
position of the Museum, and hoped that ere long better 
accommodation would be procured for this department 
of the Society. 
Mr. Mackay, in seconding the motion, reminded the 
meeting that the Council in London had already passed 
a resolution in reference to obtaining better rooms than 
those at present in use for meetings, examinations, and 
the operations of the Society generally. He further im¬ 
pressed upon all present, that as this was now the season 
of the year when likely accommodation might be ob¬ 
tained, the Council here would be glad to have their 
attention drawn to anything suitable or worthy the 
attention of the Society. 
Mr. W. Gilmour then read a paper on “Volu¬ 
metric Analysis,” which we purpose printing in a future 
number. 
The paper was very fully illustrated by diagrams and 
experiments. 
Mr. Nesrit, of Portobello, proposed that a vote of 
thanks should be given to Mr. Gilmour for his very in¬ 
teresting and instructive communication, and, while he 
agreed in the results so ably brought out, could not but 
express his regret that a process so simple and effective 
should be so little employed, as he believed it was. Mr. 
Nesbit trusted that ere long Mr. Gilmour might be in¬ 
duced to continue his experiments, and give the Society 
a nother paper on the same subject. 
The Chairman seconded the motion, and in conveying 
the thanks of the meeting to Mr. Gilmour, stated how 
much he had been pleased with the manner in which 
volumetric analysis had been brought before the meeting. 
The Secretary laid on the table the * Year-Book of 
Pharmacy,’ the January number of thd Chemist and 
Druggist, and the Nov.-Dee. number of the Pharmacist 
from Chicago, all presented to the library. 
LEICESTER CHEMISTS’ ASSISTANTS AND 
APPRENTICES’ ASSOCIATION. 
The half-yearly Meeting of the above Association was- 
held at the Rooms, on Thursday, February 1st; Mr. W- 
Thirlby in the chair. 
The Treasurer, Mr. W. B. Clark, in reading his re¬ 
port, drew attention to the much improved state of the 
financial affairs of the Society. The receipts during the- 
session have amounted to £33. 12s. 2d., and the expendi¬ 
ture to £24. 19.s. 8 cl. ; a balance of £3. 17s. 4 \d., which 
remained due to the Treasurer at the commencement of 
the session, being thus converted into a balance in hand 
of £4. 15s. \\d. 
Mr. W. B. Blunt, the Hon. Sec., then read the follow¬ 
ing Report:— 
“During the session, ten papers have been read by 
gentlemen connected with the Association. Classes have- 
been held regularly for the instruction of the members 
in chemistry, botany, materia medica, and in the reading 
of prescriptions, whilst a preliminary class has been con¬ 
ducted by Mr. Walker, with great success. In the course 
of the half-year, thirty-four apprentices and assistants 
have been members of the Association, which is very 
satisfactory to the Committee, being an increase of about 
thirty per cent, of the numbers during the previous ses¬ 
sion. Finally, the Committee in closing their report at 
this, the end of a very successful half-year, ask the at¬ 
tention of the principals to the fact, that to enable their 
employes to reap all the benefits the Association can con¬ 
fer ; material aid would be given by the adoption of the 
custom of many other important towns, viz. of closing 
their shops not later than eight o’clock. The Com¬ 
mittee ask for the support of the principals in the at¬ 
tainment of this desirable object.” 
The following officers were then elected: — President , 
Mr. W. Bradley, A.P.S.; Vice-President, Mr. S. H. Ca- 
doux ; Treasurer, Mr. W. B. Clark, P.C.; Hon. Sec., Mr. 
W. Thirlby, A.P.S. ; Committee, Messrs. E. H. Butler,. 
A.P.S., W. T. Elkington, and E. J. Bishop. 
A programme has been issued of lectures, classes, etc.,, 
meeting at 8.40 p.m., which extends to August next. 
MANCHESTER CHEMISTS AND DRUGGISTS’ 
ASSOCIATION. 
The Fourth ordinary Monthly Meeting of the session, 
was held in the Memorial Hall, Albert Square, on Friday 
evening, Feb. 2nd ; Mr. W. Wilkinson, Vice-President, 
in the chair. The attendance was unusually large. 
Mr. W. Lane (an Associate) read a good practical 
paper on “ Dispensing.” The paper gave rise to con¬ 
siderable discussion* in which several Associates, as well 
as Members, joined. 
Mr. Wilkinson’s remarks on the “ Preparation of Lard 
for Pharmaceutical Purposes ” were postponed, in con¬ 
sequence of the lateness of the hour. 
