28 
Original Communications. 
It is a fact, that we shall not import any iodine or hydrio- 
date of potash this spring, merely because these articles are 
worth forty-two cents per ounce in Paris, and we are well 
aware that we cannot obtain more than that price here, let 
the quality be what it may. 
ART. VIII.— ON GILLENIA TRIFOLIATA* 
By Charles S< Shreeve* 
Extract from thesis. Phil. Coll. Pharm. 
In making the following experiments, the cortical portion 
of superior specimens of the dried root was used. The lig- 
neous part was rejected as being comparatively inert. 
1. The decoction strikes a blue colour with the tincture of 
iodine, and is precipitated of a dirty white colour by subace- 
tate of lead. 
2. Upon the addition of alcohol to a cold infusion, it threw 
down a precipitate, indicating the presence of gum. 
3. The decoction is of a beautiful red wine colour, having 
an intensely bitter taste, the odour while boiling resembling 
that of senega. Alcohol throws down a precipitate of a dirty 
white colour. This does not agree with the statement of 
Dr. Bigelow, who asserts that alcohol occasions no change 
when added to the decoction. 
4. Three hundred and eighty grains of the powdered root 
were digested in f. 3iv of sulphuric ether, for three days ; the 
etherial tincture was then filtered, and upon evaporation 
yielded a considerable quantity of a yellowish brown sub- 
stance, which, upon examination, was found to consist prin- 
cipally of wax and fatty matter. 
5. Digested a quantity of the root previously submitted to 
the action of ether, as in the preceding experiment, in f. §viij 
of alcohol, with a moderate heat for two days , the tincture 
was then filtered and evaporated ; the residue was of a red- 
dish brown colour, having an intensely bitter and somewhat 
