Oil of Croton. — M. Soubeiran proposes some modifications in the mode 
of extracting the oil of the Croton tiglium. This acrid purgative owes its 
properties to different principles, as a very acrid, volatile oil (the crotonic,) 
and above all to a soft, brown resin. The oil is obtained by expression, 
but this mode gives but a small product, and hence, it is most advanta- 
geous to extract it by means of alcohol. M. Soubeiran fearing that those 
products were not identical, engaged Dr. Piedagnel to make comparative 
trials with them, the result of which proved that they were perfectly ana- 
logous in their medical properties. M. Soubeiran, therefore, advises the 
following method of obtaining the oil : 
The seeds are to be ground, the powder enclosed in a hair bag, and 
subjected to pressure between two hot iron plates. The oil obtained is 
to be suffered to rest for two weeks, when it will deposit a large quantity 
of a half solid substance, which appears to be stearine ; the whole is then 
to be carefully filtered. The residue after expression, is to be again 
ground and treated with twice its weight of rectified alcohol, in a water 
bath at 50° to 60° C, and subjected to pressure. The product when 
distilled will afford a thick oil containing stearine, from which it is to be 
freed as above, and the clear product added to the first, and kept in a well 
closed vessel. This process requires great care to avoid all contact with 
the seeds and the irritating vapours produced, and it is seldom an opera- 
tor will escape some action on his system. 
Bull, de Therapeut. 
Grenadine. — This substance described by M. Latour as the active prin- 
ciple of the Pomegranate root, has recently been examined by M. M. 
Boutron Charlard and Guillemette, who are of opinion that it is identical 
with mannite, thus confirming the original analysis of M. Mitouart. 
Journ. de Pharm. 
Crystalline principle of the Melilot. — M. Vogel published in 1820 that he 
had discovered benzoic acid in the Tonka bean and the flowers of the 
melilot. M. Guibourt about the same time ascertained that the crystal- 
line matter of the former was not benzoic acid, but a new principle to 
which he gave the name of Coumarine. This was confirmed by the ex- 
periments of M. M. Boutron and Boullay. No trial was however made 
to ascertain whether the crystalline matter of the melilot w T as also cou- 
marine. Lately M. Chevallier and Thubuef announced the existence of 
a new crystallizable substance in the distilled water of melilot. Still 
Vol. I— No. 3 33 
