526 
PROCEEDINGS  OF  THE 
31.  An  inquiry  as  to  the  comparative  value  of  the  Georgia,  St.  Vincent, 
Bermuda,  and  other  arrow  roots  of  commerce,  derived  from  Maranta 
arundinacea  j  whether  there  is  any  distinctive  characteristics  arising  from 
climate,  soil,  mode  of  preparation,  or  other  causes  that  would  give  a 
preference  to  either? 
Accepted  by  Evan  T.  Ellis,  of  Philadelphia. 
32.  The  seed  of  the  sunflower  (Helianthus  annuus)  is  a  domestic  remedy 
for  coughs.  It  is  also  used  for  the  heaves  in  horses.  Question, — Do  the 
seeds  possess  the  virtues  ascribed  to  them  ?  If  so,  to  what  principle  exist- 
ing in  them  is  their  medicinal  power  to  be  attributed?  And  does  the 
principle  exist  in  other  portions  of  the  plant  ? 
Accepted  by  Alexander  Cushman,  of  Neiv  York  city. 
33.  European  Pharmacy — what  are  the  chief  differences  and  points  of 
of  resemblance  between  it  and  our  own? 
Accepted  by  Robert  Battey,  M.  D.,  of  Rome,  Georgia. 
34.  What  is  the  most  eligible  method  of  keeping  camphor  in  the  form 
of  powder? 
Accepted  by  Henry  F.  Fish,  of  Waterbury,  Conn. 
35.  An  essay  on  the  guarana  of  Brazil. 
Accepted  by  Henry  F.  Fish,  of  Waterbury,  Conn. 
36.  An  essay  on  the  products  resulting  from  the  distillation  of  bitumi- 
nous coal  and  allied  substances. 
Referred  to  and  accepted  by  William  H.  Whitmore,  of  Boston. 
37.  What  are  the  principal  sources  of  oil  of  sassafras,  its  mode  of  manu- 
facture, and  the  quantity  produced  annually  ? 
Accepted  by  Alphazus  P.  Sharp,  of  Baltimore. 
38.  What  are  the  principal  sources  of  pink  root  and  seneka  snake  root? 
The  probable  amount  collected  annually,  and  the  general  character  of  the 
roots  as  brought  into  the  market  from  the  various  sources  ? 
Accepted  by  Lewis  F.  Dohme,  of  Baltimore. 
39.  The  American  species  of  Cantharis,  as  regards  their  usefulness  in 
medicine,  as  vesicants,  their  existing  quantity  in  view  of  the  supply  of 
commerce,  and  other  information  regarding  them. 
Accepted  by  F.  Chapman  Hill,  of  Philadelphia. 
40.  We  have  an  indigenous  plant  called  Pyrularia  oleifera,  the  fruit  of 
which  yields  a  large  amount  of  fixed  oil.  Query, — Can  the  oil  be  applied 
to  pharmaceutical  purposes  ?  And  can  the  plant  be  propagated  to  advan- 
tage for  the  production  of  the  oil  ? 
Accepted  by  S.  S.  Garrigues,  of  Philadelphia. 
