158 
MISCELLANY. 
potassio-tartrate of soda is capable of decomposing a larger quantity of 
alum, sulphate of iron, tin, salt. &c, the whole of the tartaric acid 
combining with the alumina or the metal by double decomposition. In- 
stead of 100 lbs. Cryst. tartari (price 70s.,) there is required only 66 
lbs. of Rochelle salt (price 52s.) — lb. Archiv. der Pharm. 
aa 10 grammes. 
Bologna Catechu. Partiglie di terra catecu Aromatica of the Italians. — 
By M. Douvault. — The following formula for this preparation is of 
Italian origin : — 
Extract of liquorice by infusion 
Water - 
Place it in a sand-bath, and add. .... 
Bengal catechu, in powder 30 grammes. - 
Gum in powder, - - 15 grammes. - 
Evaporate it to the consistence of an extract, and then incorporate 
the following powders, which must be exceedingly fine : — 
Mastic "| 
Cascarilla ! 
Charcoal .... ^ «« 2 grammes. 
Florence iris - - - j 
Let the mass become of a proper consistence, remove it from 
the fire, and add, 
English essence of pepper- 
grammes. 
mint. 
$■ 
Tincture of amber - } „ _ , 
m . r -, > aa 5 drops. 
1 mcture oi musk ~ j 
Pour it on to a slab of marble, previously greased, and roll it out by 
means of a rolling pin to the thickness of a half-franc piece. When the 
mass is cold, rub it with apiece of blotting-paper, to remove the oil com- 
pletely from both surfaces; then slightly moisten both sides, and spread 
silver leaf over them; allow it to dry; cut the sheet into narrow strips, 
afterwards cut the strips into very small squares or lozenges (about the 
size of the seeds of fenugrec.) 
The catechu that is brought from Italy is contained in small oval deal 
boxes, weighing about 20 grammes, and covered with a large seal of 
red sealing-wax. 
We do not give this receipt as the true one — the latter appears to be 
the secret of one or two Bolognese pharmacopolists — but merely as a 
formula producing an article that will in every respect answer the pur- 
pose of the Italian preparation. 
The Bologna catechu is a pleasantly-tasted preparation; it is as fre- 
quently taken as a sweet-meat, as a medicine ? and we must attribute 
