NOTICE OP THE HACHISCH. 
75 
of iron in a crystalline powder; it only remains to separate 
the excess of iron, and to wash with alcohol and dry it. 
On treating sesquioxide of iron with lactic acid, I obtained 
a soluble lactate of a red color, but I have not yet sufficiently 
examined it to ascertain all its characters. 
Juurn. de Chim. Med. 
ART. XVI. — NOTICE OF THE HACHISCH. 
In a work published by Dr. Aubert, he has devoted an arti- 
cle to a particular substance, to which M. Sacy has given the 
name of hachisch, and which is in general use among the 
Arabs. This substance produces a species of intoxication. 
Dr. Aubert has examined this vegetable; the following are his 
observations: 
" If we examine the leaves, the flowers, and the fruit of this 
^plant, we will recognise a species of hemp grown on sterile 
ground. The hachisch is in fact of the same family and the 
same genus. It is an annual plant which grows in the whole 
of Lower Egypt, where it is an article of great consumption 
and commerce. We are assured that it is likewise cultivated in 
Syria and some parts of Asia Minor. The difference which exists 
between the hemp and the hachisch is in the stalk ; this latter has 
the height of but two or three feet; its stalk is not simple, 
but branching even from the base. The branches are alternate, 
and we do not find on its stalk the same filaments as on the 
hemp. The odor is less strong than hemp, and is somewhat 
peculiar. The most common and certain mode of proving 
its effects is to make a decoction of the plant, then add 
fresh butter, and leave the whole on the fire until the liquid is 
totally evaporated ; it is then strained. The butter has now 
acquired a beautiful green color. It is used mixed with su- 
gar, pistachio nuts and other ingredients." 
