276 
VARIETIES. 
the capacity of modifying the oxygen and changing it into ozone. — Ibid, 
from Ibid. 
Arctopus Root (Radix arctopi echiniti.') — Two cases, each containing about 
sixty pounds of the above drug, recently imported from the Cape of Good 
Hope, were put up to public auction on the 24th April, but met with no 
purchaser. 
The root of Arctopus echinatus, Lin., nat. ord., Umbelliferce, is employed 
in South America as a substitute for sarsaparilla. A sample of that re- 
cently imported consists of dry, irregular pieces formed by the transverse 
section of the root, in diameter varying from half an inch to nearly two 
inches, and in thickness from three-eighths to less than one-eighth of an 
inch ; the cut surface is of a dingy brown color, and each piece has a zone- 
like mark midway between its centre and circumference. In some pieces 
the centre is surrounded by a well-defined dark portion. The margin or 
cortical part is blackish. Arctopus root has a weak, bitter, somewhat acrid 
taste, causing a slight flow of saliva; it is almost devoid of odor. In its 
general appearance, it suggests the idea of small and much discolored Co- 
lumba root. — Lon. Pharm. Journ., May, 1851. 
Cedrine, the Active Principle of Cedron Seeds. — At a meeting of the Paris 
Academy of Sciences, on the 7th of April, M. Dumas announced that M. 
Lecoy had succeeded in separating the active principle on which the the- 
rapeutic properties of the cedron depends, and which he has named cedrine. 
—Ibid. 
Solution of Lac a Substitute for Collodion.— As a substitute for collodion, 
Dr. Mellez recommends a solution of powdered shell-lac in highly-rectified 
spirit. The solution when cold, becomes gelatinous, and is used by joiners 
for polishing furniture. Spread on taffeta or linen and applied to the skin, 
it shows all the properties of collodion. It is impenetrable to the air, wa- 
ter, fat, and the organic secretions ; it does not irritate the skin, and can be 
employed instead of dextrin for fractures. Wounds heal remarkably quick 
vhen dressed with this solution — Ibid, from Buchner's Repertorium Bd., 
left. 3d, 398. 
Removal of Carbonic Acid from Cellars and oilier places where it has ac- 
cumulated. — Aubergier proposes to remove carbonic acid from cellars and 
other places, where, from fermentation or other causes, it has accumulated, 
by sprinkling about liquor ammoniaz ; this combines with carbonic acid to 
to form carbonate of ammonia, and fresh air rushes in to fill up the 
space produced by the condensation of the acid. — Ibid, from Moniteur Indus- 
triel, 1850. 
