GLEANINGS  FROM  GERMAN  JOURNALS. 
185 
are  attributable  to  this  constituent.  Besides  these  "two  sub- 
stances, cellulose,  starch,  gum  and  various  salts  were  found. 
Dr.  O'Rocke,  who  sent  the  kava  to  M.  Gobley,  says  that  it 
has  a  decided  therapeutic  action,  and  is  one  of  the  most  powerful 
sudorifics  that  he  was  acquainted  with,  and  also  has  a  direction 
to  the  mucous  surfaces,  as  do  other  varieties  of  the  pepper 
tribe. 
GLEANINGS  FROM  THE  GERMAN  JOURNALS. 
By  Jno.  M.  Maisch. 
Extract,  nuc.  vom.  ale  When  kept  in  powder,  it  soon  be- 
comes a  tough  mass.  This  change  may  be  effectually  prevented 
by  adding  towards  the  close  of  evaporation  a  little  water,  and 
then  continue  to  evaporate  to  dryness. — Zippel,  in  Archiv  d* 
Pharm.,  1859,  July,  24. 
Drying  upon  brick  tiles  is  recommended  by  Zippel  for  most 
precipitates.  Hydrated  oxide  of  iron  dries  in  a  few  hours. 
White  precipitates,  like  nitrate  of  bismuth,  are  obtained  of  a 
beautiful  whiteness ;  highly-colored  precipitates,  however,  are 
rendered  paler.  A  double  layer  of  bibulous  paper  is  recom- 
mended to  be  placed  upon  the  tile.  Sulphate  and  carbonate  of 
soda  may  be  readily  exsiccated  by  hanging  them,  enclosed  in  a 
bag,  in  a  draft  of  air. 
The  seeds  of  Ilelianthus  annuus  have  been  analyzed  by  A, 
Kromayer  and  Prof.  Dr.  Ludwig,  of  Jena,  who  found  them  to 
contain, — 1.  Helianthic  acid,  HO,  C14  H8  07,  a  tannin,  which 
is  not  precipitated  by  gelatin,  but  precipitated  by  sesquisalts  of 
iron  with  a  dark  green  color :  it  is  not  identical  with  Rochleder's 
caffeotannic  acid  of  the  same  formula.  2.  Fixed  oil,  nearly  40 
per  ct.  3.  Fermentable  sugar,  a  small  proportion.  4.  A  body 
soluble  in  alcohol,  precipitated  syrupy  by  ether,  not  directly 
fermentable ;  on  boiling  it  deoxidizes  oxide  of  copper.  5.  Le- 
gumin.  6.  A  body  insoluble  in  water  and  alcohol,  deoxidizing 
CuO  to  Cu20  when  boiled  with  diluted  acids  (inulin?).    7.  Mul- 
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