396 
darby's  prophylactic  fluid. 
tion  under  examination.  In  a  compound  solution  of  a  chloride 
and  an  iodide  this  test  per  se  would  be  of  but  little  use,  as  only 
the  presence  of  the  iodide  would  be  indicated,  and  recourse  to 
other  methods  would  be  necessary  for  the  detection  of  the  chlo- 
ride. 
In  a  solution  containing  no  haloid  salt  whatever,  as,  for  ex- 
ample, a  solution  of  a  nitrate  or  a  sulphate,  this  test  would  indi- 
cate the  presence  of  a  chloride, — that  is,  no  change  would  be 
produced  on  the  addition  of  the  permanganate.  And  in  a  solu- 
tion containing  organic  matter  the  test  would  in  many  instances 
be  rendered  worthless,  as  the  permanganate  is  readily  decomposed 
by  such  substances  with  changes  very  similar  to  those  produced 
by  the  action  of  iodides  or  bromides. 
Cairo,  111,  July  26,  1869. 
THE  TRUMPET  PLANT. 
(See  July  number  of  this  Journal,  page  292.) 
MoNTiCELLO,  Fla.,  July  29,  1869. 
Editor  American  Journal  of  Pharmacy  : 
Dear  Sir, — The  trumpet  plant  known  among  us  is  the  Sarra- 
cenia  flava.  It  is  a  very  peculiar  plant,  resembling  somewhat  a 
small  straight  horn.  The  upper  and  larger  extremity  is  partially 
covered  with  a  spotted  hood.  The  flower  is  of  a  greenish  yellow 
color.  It  grows  in  abundance  throughout  this  section  of  the 
State. 
Respectfully,         J.  Dabney  Palmer. 
DARBY'S  PROPHYLACTIC  FLUID. 
The  following  note,  received  from  the  proprietors  of  this  pre- 
paration, purports  to  give  the  exact  composition  of  the  "  fluid." 
The  writers  evidently  mean  the  composition  of  the  solid  contents 
of  the  liquid.  As  they  refrain  from  giving  either  the  proportion 
of  saline  matter  or  the  process  of  making  it,  they  evidently  do 
not  intend  to  make  their  communication  useful  to  the  readers 
except  as  abstract  information : 
