PHARMACEUTICAL NOTICES. 
189 
and in two or three days it is perfectly dry, and possessed of 
all the characteristics of the pure Bermuda arrow root. 
As the grains of fecula are insoluble in cold water, and 
the mustiness is on their exterior, we can readily con- 
ceive how washing it should remove the defect, without in- 
jury to the fecula. Since trying this process, a friend, to 
whom it was communicated, has been equally successful in its 
application. 
Hydrochlorate of Ammonia. Sal Ammoniac. 
The difficulty of reducing this salt to powder, in the ordi- 
nary way, with pestle and mortar, is too well known to re- 
quire comment. A much easier and more effectual way is 
the following, which though not by any means offered as 
original, may yet be new to many of our pharmaceutists. 
Make a saturated solution in boiling water, of the salt, and 
allow it to cool gradually, stirring constantly, in order, that 
as the hydrochlorate separates by crystallization, it may be 
granulated. When cold, throw the whole on a glass funnel, 
the neck of which is partially closed by a piece of cotton, and 
allow it to drain, then throw it on bibulous paper and dry i . 
The salt can now readily be reduced to fine powder. 
Black Ink. 
Although Ink is not a pharmaceutical preparation, yet it is 
a compound that the apothecary is constantly called upon to 
make, either for his own use or for other's, and it has been 
thought that the following formula would not be out of 
place here. 
Take of Galls, finely bruised, §8 
Inferior Gum Arabic, §4 
Sulphate of Iron in powder, j§4 
Aqua Fortis, gi 
Water, a gallon. 
Macerate the galls in a portion of the water, for three hours, 
then put them into a displacement apparatus, and treat them 
