26 DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS OF CALISAYA BARK. 
scribed under the names of orange yellow, and Columbia 
barks. (Hist, abreg. des drog. simpl., nos. 489 and 490) ; but 
this alkali consists in a large proportion of cinchonia, and 
these barks are of little value in the manufacture of sulphate 
of quinia. I finish this note by a passage extracted from a 
letter of Mr. Christison, Professor of Materia Medica, at Edin- 
burgh, the publication of which may be agreeable to the 
friends of natural science. 
" You have long since, I doubt not, arrived at the conclu- 
sion, that notwithstanding the travels of many scientific men, we 
have as yet but few positive data with regard to the species 
which furnishes the most valuable bark, and you think, perhaps 
with me, that naturalists have placed too much reliance on 
their collectors of plants. A young accomplished botanist, 
named Gardiner, a pupil of Mr. William Hooker, of Glas- 
gow, has just proceeded to South America, and proposes to 
remain some time in the bark forests. I had an opportunity 
of conversing with him previous to his departure, and I 
strongly impressed upon him, not to trust to specimens ob- 
tained second hand. He has promised to collect himself all 
sorts of botanical specimens and barks, and to make his re- 
searches upon this subject so complete, as to be able to come 
at positive results. He has engaged to make known his 
progress through Mr. Hooker, and it will give me great plea- 
sure to communicate it to you. It may be as well to add, 
that Mr. Gardiner proposes to defray the expense of his 
travels, by furnishing the cabinets of naturalists with speci- 
mens at a moderate price. So that if there should be any 
persons or societies in Paris to whom they will be an object, 
the voyage of Mr. Gardiner will present the opportunity of 
obtaining them. I believe that the price will be sixpence for 
every species of plant, from South x^merica, indifferently." 
Journal de Pharmacie. 
