1018 
THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL AND TRANSACTIONS. 
[June 15, 1872. 
JjjwMtttial franmtions. 
NORWICH CHEMISTS’ ASSISTANTS’ 
ASSOCIATION. 
A lecture on “ Botany ” was delivered by Mr. 0. 
Coixler at tbe rooms of the above association on May 
29th; the President, Mr. A. Hill, in the chair. 
The Lecturer said that it would be his endeavour 
that evening to try and help some of those who, seeking 
to attain the information which would enable them to 
rightly name botanical specimens, had discovered what a 
maze and mystery the many thousands of plants were to 
them, and the apparent hopelessness of their task. If, 
however, they did not attempt too much at the outset, 
but little by little, the task would be found no longer 
troublesome, but a true and lasting pleasure; and they 
would see in the different subjects that came before 
them in nature the marvellous adaptation of every part, 
—how the one was totally useless and helpless without 
the other. So students must help each other if ever 
they wished to attain any benefit by their pursuits. 
Much might be done by each one bringing plants for 
mutual examination, so that they might become to a 
great extent acquainted with the names of the flora of 
the district. But he might be met with the old cry, 
“All this is very well, but it would not be required for 
the 4 Minor.’ ” He, however, wished them to get rid of 
nil such thoughts, and to pursue the study of botany for 
the love and beauty of it. They would soon find to 
their pleasure that they had speedily and readily at¬ 
tained that which would help to carry them through 
both the Minor and Major with honour. He would 
further impress upon them that such knowledge, once 
attained by practical means, could never be altogether 
lost; and, however much it might appear beyond their 
requirements now, it would be very handy to be able to 
“inquire within” when information was desired. Sir 
"William Hooker had well said that 44 the labour of com¬ 
piling a flora of a country by a careful examination and 
comparison of specimens themselves, whether in a living 
or dried state, could only be appreciated by those who 
Rad been engaged in an employment of the same 
kind.” 
The collecting of materials in their native hills and 
Talleys, upon the seashore, in the woods and among the 
majestic scenery with which the northern parts of this 
island eminently abound, generally in the society of 
friends of a congenial taste or students full of ardour 
and enthusiasm, was a very delightful occupation, espe¬ 
cially when taken in conj unction with the anticipations 
cf the pleasure that they might be able to bestow on 
kindred minds by sharing with them their discoveries 
and acquisitions. The more easy the commencement of 
a study was made, the more votaries would be drawn to 
it; and though they should attain no further knowledge 
than what had been already taught in the imperishable 
writings of a Linnajus or a Smith, yet they might be 
assured that in plants taken individually and in an 
isolated manner they would find subjects which would 
give ample scope for the employment of the talents of 
the greatest philosophers, in the due contemplation of 
which they might derive both pleasure and advantage to 
themselves, and be the means of communicating them 
to others. 
The Lecturer then proceeded to point out the charac¬ 
ters which required to be noticed, in order to lead to the 
recognition of the different plants, illustrating his re¬ 
marks by reference to a numerous collection of speci¬ 
mens of plants and flowers, the more noticeable amongst 
which were Podophyllum pcltatum and Batura maveokns 
in full bloom. 
After a vote of thanks to Mr. Corder, moved by the 
Chairman, and seconded by Mr. P. H. Mason, the meet¬ 
ing terminated. 
TYNESIDE CHEMISTS’ ASSISTANTS’ 
ASSOCIATION. 
The above Association met at their rooms, Royal 
Arcade, Newcastle, on Thursday evening, the 6th 
instant., when Mr. George Foggon, read a very in¬ 
teresting and instructive paper on Castor Oil, illustra¬ 
ted by various diagrams and specimens both of the 
plant and dried fruit. 
At the close of the lecture a considerable amount of dis¬ 
cussion ensued, the chief speakers being Messrs. Shaw, 
Kerse, and Melhuish; after which a hearty vote of 
thanks was proposed by Mr. J. H. Proctor, seconded 
by Mr. H. Melhuish, and carried unanimously. 
In the absence of the president, Mr. Shaw occupied 
the chair. There was a very good attendance of mem¬ 
bers present. 
iprarniings at JkimMc Smctks. 
CHEMICAL SOCIETY. 
Thursday, June 6. In the absence of the President the 
chair was taken by Dr. Gilbert, F.R.S., Vice-President. 
When the usual business of the Society had been transacted, 
sixteen communications were read to the Fellows present, 
the titles being 44 On a remarkable Salt deposited from 
the Mother Liquor obtained in the manufacture of Soda,” 
by Professor E. T. Thorpe; “ On the Composition of 
Ceylon Jargons,” by M. H. Cochran; 44 On a Double 
Sulphide of Gold and Silver,” by M. M. Pattison Muir ; 
“ On the Solvent Action of various Saline Solutions upon 
Lead,” by the same author; 44 On the Magnetic Sand 
of Mount Etna,” by'J. B. Hannay; 44 New Tests for 
some Organic Fluids,” by J. A. Wanklyn ; “Dendritic 
Spots on Paper,” by A. Liversidge ; 44 On Chinoline and 
Leucoline,” by C. Greville Williams, F.R.S. A letter 
from Mr. Dewar, of Edinburgh, was then read by the 
Secretary' - , on some derivatives of Chinoline. Dr. C. R. A. 
Wright read a paper on the “Action of Phosphoric 
Acid on Morphine,” and Mr. W. H. Perkin, F.R.S., a 
note on the 44 Secondary Colouring Matter produced in 
the preparation of Alizarine from Anthracene;” 44 On 
the effects of Temperature on the absorption of Gases by 
Charcoal,” by J. Hunter, M.A. Dr. Armstrong then 
brought forward a series of “Communications from the 
Laboratory of the London Institution—No. V., On the 
Nitration products of the Dibromo-phenolsulphonic 
Acids; No. VI.: On'Bromo-phenolsulphonic Acid; No. 
VII. : On the formation of substituted Nitro-phenolsul- 
phonic Acids;” and finally the Secretary read a letter 
which had been received from M. E. Maumene, of 
Paris. 
The meeting then adjourned until Thursday', 20th 
June, when Mr. H. Deacon will deliver a lecture 44 On 
Deacon’s method of obtaining Chlorine as illustrating 
some principles of Chemical Dyuiamics.” 
SOCIETY OF ARTS. 
April 24, 1872. 
Nuts, their Produce axd Uses. 
BY P. L. SIMMONDS. 
(Continued from page 980.) 
The nuts of the sapotaceous plants y'ield a large 
amount of oil, especially the Bassias and the Aryan of 
Morocco (Argania sideroxylon.) 
The shea butter or solid oil from the Niger, is obtained 
from the fruits of Bassia Parkii , by boiling them in 
water. The yield of oil is about 30 per cent. The fruit 
of another species ( B . long folia), yield by expressiofi in 
India the Elloopie or Mee oil, which is used for lamps 
among the poorer classes, and is one of the principal in¬ 
gredients in making country' soap. It is of a clear 
