250  Practical  Notes  from  Fo7^eign  Journals, 
root  became  apparent ;  the  pills  were  composed  of  quinia  sulphate^ 
0*6  ;  muse,  0*2 ;  mucilage  and  powdered  liquorice  root,  sufficient  for  6> 
pills. — Archiv  d,  Phar,,  Feb.,  1881,  p.  148,  from  Rep.  de  Phar. 
Preservation  of  Filix  mas. — According  to  J.  B.  Enz,  the  rhizome 
collected  in  autumn  is  cut  and  mixed  with  a  little  alcohol ;  the  green 
color  of  the  parenchyma  changes  to  a  reddish-brown,  but  the  odor  of 
butyric  acid  is  not  developed,  as  is  always  the  case  with  the  rhizome 
preserved  in  the  dried  state.  Protected  from  decomposition  by  alco- 
hol, the  rhizome  may  be  used  for  infusions,  etc. 
Preservation  of  Arum. — The  tubers  of  Arum  maculatum,  which 
resemble  our  Indian  turnip  in  acridity,  retain  their  properties  at  least 
for  a  year  if  kept  under  sand  in  the  cellar ;  but  for  a  much  longer 
time  if  immersed  in  alcohol  and  kept  in  well  closed  vessels,  protected 
from  the  light.— ^rc/wV-  d.  Phar.,  March,  1881,  p.  199. 
Testing  Oil  of  Rose. — A.  Ganswindt  recommends  the  following  tests: 
Agitate  1  drop  of  the  oil  with  45  grams  of  warm  water,  and  sprinkle 
the  solution  in  a  moderately  warm  room,  which  Avill  soon  be  filled  with 
a  rose  odor,  in  Avhich  foreign  odors  may  be  detected  without  difficulty. 
An  adulteration  with  a  fixed  oil  produces  a  permanent  grease  stain 
upon  paper,  and  spermaceti  is  left  behind  on  the  evaporation  of  a  few 
drops  of  the  oil  from  a  watch  crystal  in  a  Avater-bath.  On  mixing  a 
few  drops  of  pure  oil  of  rose  with  an  equal  bulk  of  sulphuric  acidy 
the  rose  odor  is  not  changed,  but  oils  used  for  adulteration  change 
their  odor,  which  becomes  apparent  in  the  rose  odor.  Or  5  drops  of 
the  oil  are  mixed  in  a  dry  test  tube  with  20  drops  of  pure  concentrated 
sulphuric  acid ;  when  the  mixture  is  cool  it  is  agitated  with  20  grams 
of  absolute  alcohol,  when  a  nearly  clear  solution  should  be  obtained^ 
Avhich,  heated  to  boiling,  remains  clear  yellowish-brown  on  coolings 
In  the  presence  of  the  oils  of  rose  geranium,  palma  rosa,  etc.,  the  alco- 
holic mixture  is  turbid,  and  on  standing  separates  a  deposit  without 
becoming  clear. — Seifens.  Ztg.,  1881,  p.  32. 
Phosphorescent  Paint. — Well  cleaned  oyster  shells  are  burned, 
rubbed  to  a  fine  powder  and  packed  into  a  crucible  in  layers  alternat- 
ing with  layers  of  sulphur ;  the  crucible  is  closed  with  a  cover  and 
cement,  and  when  perfectly  dry  is  placed  in  the  fire  for  one  hour. 
After  cooling,  the  finest  particles  are  sifted  off,  mixed  with  weak  glue 
water,  and  with  this  two  thin  coatings  are  applied.  This  paint,  after 
exposure  to  the  direct  sunlight,  is  luminous  in  the  dark. — Pol.  Notizhl.^ 
xxxvi,  p.  30. 
