176 
VARIETIES. 
is to avoid the inconveniences aiising from the expansion of fluids, when 
the temperature of the air is considerably above that of the fluid experi- 
mented with. 
An ordinary thousand grain flask is fitted with a stopper having a conical 
cavity through its centre, the inferior end being smallest, (large stopper.) A 
second stopper, longer than the first passes down through the conical cavity, 
and closes its smallest end accurately, (long stopper.) A third short stopper 
is provided which fits the superior end of the conical cavity, loosely, when 
the long stopper is removed. (Small stopper.) 
The instrument is used thus : — Fill the flask with fluid at the required 
temperature, slightly grease the long stopper and insert it carefully into the 
cavity of the large stopper, so as to close it perfectly, then insert the stopper 
thus arranged, into the flask, permitting the excess of fluid to run over the 
side. The large stopper is now removed, and the small stopper inserted in 
its place ; after which the bottle is deliberately and carefully wiped and 
weighed : as there is plenty of space in the cavity of the large stopper to ac- 
commodate the expansion of the fluid, no loss is occasioned by overflow or 
evaporation. The counter-balance weight may include the long stopper or 
not as the maker chooses. 
Aridhtm, a probably new metal By M. Ullgren. — Wallmark recently 
communicated to the Academy of Sciences of Stockholm, a paper by M. 
Ullgren, in which he describes a metal, probably new, which occurs in the 
chrome iron of Roros. and in some other iron ores, which for the present, is 
called aridium, from its resemblance to iron in its oxides. 
It dissolves in muriatic acid without disengaging chlorine, and yields on 
evaporation a deliquescent lemon yellow uncrystallized residue. 
A solution of per oxide of aridium does not become black when mixed 
with an infusion of galls, but intensely indigo blue, and on the addition of 
acetate of soda, a brownish violet precipitate is formed. 
Sulphocyanide of potassium, colors a solution of per oxide of aridium, 
deep red like iron, but is not discolored by an access of acid. The alkaline 
sulphurets precipitate it blackish green. 
Many other reactions of this supposed new metal, showing its difference 
from iron and cerium, will be found in the Pharm Journal, Sept. 1850. 
Leaves of 1 he Bofareira (Ricinus communis) as a Galaciagogue. — Dr. J. O- 
McWrLUAM, whilst engaged in an official investigation into the nature and 
history of the yellow fever epidemic in the Island of Bona Vista, in the Cape 
deVerds, in 1846, had his attention attracted to a remedy commonly had 
recourse to there, to acelerate and increase the flow of milk from the breasts 
of child-bearing women. This remedy proved to be the leaves of the com- 
mon castor oil plant, and also those of the Jatropha curcas, belonging to the 
same natural family. 
The remedy is applied in the form of decoction as a bath to the breasts 
