422 
Minutes  of  the  College. 
f  Am.  Jour.  Pharrm 
t       Aug.,  1877. 
salicylic  acid  for  twelve  gallons  of  wine  (about  1  to  48,000)  to  prevent  after-fermen- 
tation. The  formation  of  the  ether  is  due  to  the  nascent  alcohol  produced  by- 
subsequent  fermentation,  which  was  not  prevented  by  the  small  quantity  of  salicylic 
acid.  Neubauer  recommends  for  this  purpose  1  part  of  the  acid  to  from  16,000  to 
50,000  parts  of  wine,  and  in  this  case  the  maximum  quantity  should  have  been  used^ 
— Amer.  C/iem.,  vii.,  217. 
Brasilin,  the  chromogen  of  Brazil  wood,  has  been  experimented  with  by  C. 
Liebermann  and  O.  Burg,  who  obtained  its  hydrates  in  compact  rhombic  crystals 
and  white  silky  needles.  Deprived  of  water,  it  has  the  composition  C16Hu05,  being 
iO  less  than  haematoxylin  (C16Hu06)  j  various  substitution  compounds  were  pre- 
pared, and  their  composition  indicated  the  correctness  of  the  formula.  Brasilein,, 
the  coloring  principle,  is  obtained  in  glistening  scales,  by  adding  to  a  hot  solution 
of  3  parts  brasilin  in  300  water,  2  parts  iodine  dissolved  in  20  parts  of  alcohol  j  its 
composition  agrees  with  the  formula  C16H12Q.. — Ber.  d.  chem.  Ges.>  1876,  p.  1883. 
The  detection  of  fuchsin  in  wine  and  fruit  juices  has  been  the  subject  of  much 
investigation  in  Europe.  Prof.  Fliickiger  proposes  a  simple  qualitative  test,  depend- 
ing upon  the  behavior  to  chlorine  and  bromine,  by  which  the  coloring  matter  of 
wine  and  raspberries  is  instantly  destroyed,  acquiring  a  light  yellowish  color.  A 
solution  of  fuchsin,  diluted  to  a  very  faint  coloration,  becomes  very  perceptibly 
darker  and  discolored  on  the  addition  of  chlorine  water,  and  the  vapor  of  bromine 
produces  a  rich  violet  color,  or  violet  floccules  after  some  time  ;  the  darker  colora- 
ion  in  both  cases  is  lasting. — Schujeiz  Wochenschr.  f.  Phar.,  No.  11. 
Prof.  Schaer  finds  this  darkening  of  color  to  be  due  to  the  presence  of  anilin  or 
anilin  salt  5  perfectly  pure  fuchsin  acquires  a  pale  yellow  color  under  the  circum- 
stances mentioned  above. — Ibid.,  No.  13. 
Niobe  essence  is  crude  methylo-benzoic  ether,  of  an  agreeable  balsamic  odor, 
and  employed  in  perfumery.  It  is  prepared  by  distilling  a  mixture  of  1  part  wood 
spirit,  2  p.  benzoic  acid  and  2  p.  oil  of  vitriol  5  the  residue  may  be  distilled  with 
fresh  portions  of  methylic  alcohol  twice  or  three  times.  The  united  distillates  are 
treated  and  washed  with  water,  then  agitated  with  calcium  chloride  and  rectified 
over  dry  oxide  of  lead.  The  same  essence  may  be  prepared  from  the  calcium  hip- 
purate  obtained  from  the  urine  of  cattle,  by  distilling  it  with  methylic  alcohol  and 
sulphuric  acid. — Apoth.  Zeitung,  No.  12,  from  Industrie- Blatter. 
MINUTES  OF  THE  COLLEGE. 
Philadelphia,  June  25th,  1877. 
A  stated  meeting  of  the  Philadelphia  College  of  Pharmacy  was  held  this  day  at 
the  Hall  of  the  College,  No.  145  North  Tenth  street. 
