376 
VARIETIES. 
odor and perfectly colorless, which was found on analysis to be anhydrous 
benzoic acid — 
C 14 Hs O 3 . 
This new product crystallizes in oblique prisms, which melt at 33° C. It 
is volatile without decomposition, insoluble in water, but soluble in alcohol 
and ether, and these solutions are perfectly neutral. Boiling water trans- 
forms it by degrees into common benzoic acid. 
Experiments were made in the same direction with other acids, the de- 
tailed account of which the author defers for a future communication. — 
London Chem. Gaz. 
Note on Sarsaparilla. By Dr. F. L. Winckler. — Chatin finding iodine 
in Honduras sarsaparilla, believed that the remedial action of that root 
might thus be partially explained. Dr. Winkler has carefully examined 
several other varieties without success, and has been led to think that the 
root examined by Chatin must have been exposed to the action of sea-water. 
—Central Blatt, May 7th, 1852. 
On Coccus Bids. By Dr. X. Landerer. — The Coccinella septempunctata is 
known in the East by the name K/>^««, and the Coccus Ilicis by that of 
upivoKCH.ui, the tree on which the latter insect is found, and from which 
it is collected, being called by the Greeks Prinos, that is the Quercus 
cocci/era. As this tree occurs abundantly in Greece, and principally 
in the mountainous parts, these insects are also found here, but it is v only 
in Peloponnesus, and almost exclusively in the neighborhood of Messena, 
that the inhabitants collect them. The insects are found adhering to the 
bark of the branches of this tree, and also immediately above the root, 
but very rarely on the leaves, and it is observed that those found near 
the roots of the tree are larger, and contain more coloring matter than 
the others. An active man may collect from six to ten ounces in a day. 
With the view of increasing the number of these insecto, the people burn 
the small trees on the mountains, and in consequence of this bad man- 
agement, sometimes set fire to whole forests. The ashes appear to fertilize 
the ground, and to be very favorable to the growth of the trees on which the 
insects are found. The Coccus looks like a small egg, which can hardly be dis- 
tinguished on the young branches, to which it is attached by an envelope. 
In about three months it acquires the size of a pea. If the insects are not 
collected at the proper time, that is, about the middle of June, they burst 
the envelope and escape, leaving only the envelope, which is valueless, as 
it contains none of the coloring matter." The collectors cut off the branches 
on which the insects are found, with a hooked knife, which is made for 
the purpose, and afterwards separate the insects, which, still mixed with 
some of the leaves and flowers of the trees, constitute the first rough article 
of commerce. They are immediately exposed to the sun on sieves, by 
which means they are killed and preserved. The size varies according to 
