EXHIBITION OF OBJECTS RELATING TO PHARMACY. 
239 
Naphtlialine. 
A constituent of the principal varieties of tar, produced in large quantities in 
a crude state in the manufacture of coal gas. When purified by sublimation, it 
forms, as in the specimen shown, large brilliant crystalline plates of a pearly lustre. 
It is insoluble in cold water, but is easily dissolved in alcohol, ether, and various 
hydrocarbons. Its sublimation is readily effected. Nitric acid forms with it a 
long series of very interesting products. 
llismuthi et ammonise citras. 
Only lately introduced into pharmacy. The specimen exhibited is in minute 
scales, containing GO per cent, of oxide of bismuth, and is readily soluble in water, 
differing in this respect from other salts of bismuth, which are decomposed and 
precipitated by water. It is prepared by precipitating a solution of nitrate of 
bismuth with an alkaline citrate, collecting and washing precipitate with water, 
dissolving it in liq. ammonise, and drying on glass plates at a temperature of be¬ 
tween 90° and 100° Fahr. If too great a heat be employed, it is liable to be ren¬ 
dered insoluble. 
Potassm boro-tartras (soluble cream of tartar) may be prepared in the form 
of scales, as exhibited, by dissolving together boracic acid and cream of 
tartar in water, evaporafing to a syrupy consistence, and scaling on glass 
plates. 
Thus prepared, it presents a very elegant appearance, far superior to the amor¬ 
phous powder which is more often sold as soluble cream of tartar, and which is 
made from cream of tartar and borax. 
Acetate of amyl (essence of pear), valerianate of amyl (oil of apple), and 
butyrate of ethyl (essence of pine-apple) are the principal ingredients 
used in the manufacture of the fruit essences, which arc now made in 
such considerable quantities. 
By judicious admixture, artificial essences may be obtained, resembling very 
closely the flavour of almost every kind of fruit. 
Podoi^liylUim peltatum, or May apple. Nlatural Order PanunculacecB. 
A native of North America. Its root has a place in the United States as well 
as in the British Pharmacopoeias, and is administered in the form of powder as a 
purgative and cathartic. 
Podophylline. A resinous substance obtained from the root, or rather 
rhizome, of the Podophylhmi peltatum, now an article of the British 
Pharmacopoeia, sometimes called vegetable calomel. 
It varies much in colour, from a dark brown to a greenish or yellowish tint, is 
practically insoluble in water, and soluble in alcohol and ether. It is prepared by 
exhausting the crushed rhizome with spirit, the greater portion of which is after¬ 
wards distilled off, and pouring the concentrated solution into water previously 
acidulated with hydrochloric acid 5 the precipitated resin is then collected, washed, 
and dried at a low temperature. 
Assacu bark, a native of Brazil. 
Its exuded juice, known as assacu milk, is in some repute among the natives as a 
cure for various diseases, but little is at present known of its real properties. 
Duncan and Co., JEdinhurgli. 
Cases of suppositories, pessaries, and white gutta-percha enamel. 
Ewen, Messes., London. 
A series of clarified fats and purified olive oil. 
Groves, T. B., Weymouth. 
Specimens of aconitia and its salts. 
A paper in connection with these preparations was read before the Conference. 
IIanbury, Daniel, Plough Court, I^omhard Street. 
A case of medicinal fruits derived from the Order Scitaminece. 
