ON  THE  CALIFORNIA  NUTMEG. 
499 
mount  the  upper  hemisphere,  and  it  would  be  well  that  the  tube 
descending  from  it  to  the  bottom  of  the  fountain  should  be  entirely 
of  block  tin,  if  it  could  be  supported  in  any  way  compatible  with 
the  amount  of  motion  and  jarring  to  which  the  fountains  are  sub- 
jected during  transportation.  One  difficulty  in  the  way  is  the  ne- 
cessity of  using  brass  stopcocks.  Although  the  interior  surface 
can  be  tinned  it  is  more  liable  to  become  exposed  and  is  more 
difficult  to  inspect  than  open  surfaces.  In  reference  to  the  tubing 
for  connection  there  is  no  difficulty  in  having  the  short  connection 
from  the  drawcock  to  the  cooler  of  silver  or,  at  least,  of  tin  ;  but 
that  from  the  fountain  in  the  cellar  to  the  cooler,  a  distance  of 
seven  to  ten  feet,  the  necessity  for  some  substitute  for  lead  is  not 
so  easily  overcome.  We  have  used  gutta  percha  tubing  for  seve- 
ral years  past,  but  it  is  liable  to  crack  longitudinally  near  the  con- 
necting joint,  and,  at  first,  in  the  experience  of  some,  gives  a  pe- 
culiar taste  to  the  water,  which,  however,  ceases  by  use  ;  block 
tin  is  better,  or  lead  lined  wilh  tin.  Mr.  Simes  of  this  city,  who 
we  believe  manufactures  his  own  carbonic  acid  water,  employs 
cast-iron  fountains  lined  with  enamel,  which  are  unexceptionable, 
so  far  as  we  know,  when  they  are  not  to  be  transported,  their 
great  weight  rendering  them  ineligible  in  that  case.  Such  foun- 
tains are  hung  on  lateral  pivots,  like  a  cannon  with  its  mouth  up, 
which  enables  the  operator  to  agitate  their  contents  when  desir- 
able. 
Although  we  do  not  think  the  sweeping  remarks  of  Dr.  Dore- 
mus  are  quite  correct,  yet  we  believe  they  will  do  good  by  direct- 
ing the  attention  of  the  public,  as  well  as  the  vendors,  to  the  sub- 
ject, and  cause  better  arrangements  to  be  adopted  and  more  care 
exercised. 
REMARKS  ON  THE  CALIFORNIA  NUTMEG. 
By  Pro.  Josepfh  Carson. 
September  15th.  1854. 
To  Daniel  B.  Smith,  Esq. : 
Dear  Sir, — When  last  I  saw  you  I  promised  to  write  to  you 
upon  a  subject  which  then  interested  us,  the  so-called  California 
nutmeg,  which  had  been  introduced  into  the  market.  I  have  since 
been  enabled  to  examine  thoroughly  into  the  matter,  and  find  that 
I  was  right  in  the  statements  made  to  you  at  the  time,  but  engage- 
