530  The  Materia  Medica  of  Ceylon. 
lighthouses.  The  adaptability  of  lightning  conductors.  Analyzing 
and  supervising  means  to  protect  drinking  waters.  In  1816  Fara- 
day made  his  first  contribution  to  literature  in  an  analysis  of  native 
caustic  lime.  Between  1 8 16  and  1820  he  contributed  thirty-seven 
notices  and  papers  to  the  Quarterly  Journal  of  Science.  In  1823 
he  liquefied  chlorine.  In  1836  he  discovered  benzene  (which  he 
termed  bicarburet  of  hydrogen)  among  the  products  of  condensed 
oil  gas.  .  In  this  he  may  have  laid  the  foundation  of  the  discovery 
of  the  so-called  aniline  dyes,  enormous  quantities  of  benzene 
being  used  in  the  production  of  these  beautiful  colors.  In  1831  was 
published  the  first  series  of  his  experimental  researches  in  elec- 
tricity— including  magneto-electricity,  voltaic  induction  and  definite 
electro-chemical  decomposition.  His  opinion  of  the  value  and  use- 
fulness of  study  is  summed  up  in  his  own  words,  as  follows :  "  I  do 
think  that  the  study  of  natural  science  is  so  glorious  a  school  for  the 
mind  that,  with  the  laws  impressed  on  all  created  things  by  the 
Creator,  and  the  wonderful  unity  and  stability  of  matter,  there  can- 
not be  a  better  school  for  the  education  of  the  mind."  When 
nearly  seventy  years  of  age  the  Queen  offered  him,  in  consideration 
of  his  eminent  service  and  distinguished  ability,  a  house  and  home 
on  Hampton  Court  Green,  where  the  decline  of  his  life  was  passed 
in  that  serene  quietude  so  grateful  to  the  mind  in  state  of  contem- 
plation. Seated  in  his  chair  he  passed  peacefully  from  earthly  life 
in  August,  1867.  Assuredly,  the  mind  of  Faraday  was  of  noble 
cast.  Yet  he  started  career  with  but  meagre  aids  to  its  develop- 
ment. But,  herein  lies  the  useful  lesson  afforded  by  the  history  of 
his  life. 
September  29,  1894. 
THE  MATERIA  MEDICA  OF  CEYLON.* 
By  Henry  Krabmisr. 
A  year  ago,  if  one  took  the  time  and  pains,  he  could  not  but  be 
impressed,  indeed,  with  the  exhibits  of  Materia  Medica  by  the 
Oriental  and  European  nations  at  the  World's  Columbian  Exposi- 
tion. There  were  pounds  of  the  important  alkaloids  of  Cinchona, 
Opium,  Coca,  etc.,  small  quantities,  but  sufficient  to  demonstrate  the 
*  Read  at  the  North  Carolina  Pharm.  Assoc.  Meeting,  Sept.,  1894. 
