136    PEODUCTiON  Of  conium  seeds  in  the  united  states. 
again  distilled  to  dryness.  The  distillate  is  now  treated  with 
potassa  fusa,  and  the  aniline  separates  as  an  oily  layer,  which 
must  be  removed  and  distilled  once  more. 
The  residue  of  the  mixture  of  iron  filings,  acetic  acid  and 
nitro-benzole,  which  remains  in  the  retort  after  the  distillation, 
still  contains  a  considerable  amount  of  aniline.  To  obtain 
this  the  retort  must  be  washed  out  with  water  acidulated  with 
sulphuric  or  hydrochloric  acid  and  the  solution  filtered,  and 
then  evaporated  to  dryness.  The  dry  residue  is  then  mixed 
with  quick  lime,  and  placed  in  a  retort  of  iron  or  refractory  ware 
and  distilled  ;  and  the  aniline  thus  obtained  must  be  rectified. — 
Ohem.  Neivs^  London^  Oct.  1860. 
ON   THE  PRODUCTION  OF  CONIUM  SEEDS  IN  THE  UNITED 
STATES. 
By  Henry  F.  Fish,  of  Waterbiiry,  Conn. 
To  the  question,  Can  the  seeds  of  Conium  maculatum  be 
collected  in  quantity  sufficient  for  the  preparation  of  Coniin, 
(or  Conia,)  as  an  article  of  commerce  ?"  I  reply,  that  on  the 
first  day  of  October,  1859, 1  addressed  printed  circulars,  embody- 
ing a  series  of  inquiries,  to  a  large  number  of  individuals  in  my 
own,  as  well  as  in  other  States,  and  that,  to  them,  I  have  re- 
ceived only  one  reply  of  any  practical  value. 
The  questions  and  their  answers  are  now  presented : — 
Question  1st,  Does  Conium  maculatum  grow  in  your  locality  ? 
Answer — We  raise  it. 
Question  2d,  In  what  quantity  ?  Answer— 1200  to  2000 
pounds  to  the  acre. 
Question  3d,  Is  any  use  made  of  it?  Answer — A  large 
amount  of  Extract  is  made. 
Question  4th,  How  many  pounds  of  ripe  seeds  can  be  obtain- 
ed?    Answer — 100  pounds  to  the  acre. 
Question  5th,  At  what  probable  cost  by  pound  ?  Answer — 
From  25  to  33  cents. 
Question  6th,  Can  you  engage  in  their  collection  ?  Answer 
— If  an)^  demand  was  made,  we  would  do  so. 
Answer  returned  by  Charles  T.  Carney,  of  Boston ;  informa- 
