AVnri,i872M  \        Pharmaceutical  Colleges,  etc.  279 
suggested  by  members  that  the  sawdust  may  have  become  mixed  with  the 
iodine  through  breakage,  the  iodine  having  been  packed  in  it  for  transportation. 
The  adulterant  seems  almost  the  last  that  would  suggest  itself,  on  account  of 
its  lightness.  The  result  of  further  investigation  will  be  interesting  to  the  pro- 
fession at  large. 
Prof.  Maisch  exhibited  a  fine  sample  of  round  cardamom  (Ammomum  car- 
damomumi),  very  rare  in  this  market. 
The  Professor  also  exhibited  crabs'  eyes,  which  were  enclosed  in  a  small  bag 
in  an  original  package  of  cantharides.  The  question  arose  as  to  the  cause  of 
this,  and  as  crabs'  eyes  are  thought  to  be  about  as  expensive  as  cantharides  it 
is  doubtful  whether  this  can  be  called  an  intentional  fraud. 
A  curious  specimen  of  colchicum  was  also  shown,  cut  in  transverse  slices, 
externally  white,  internally  quite  dark  in  color. 
The  Professor  also  exhibited  to  the  College  a  fine  sample  of  Chinese  blis- 
tering: fly  (Mylabris  Cichorii),  said  to  contain  one-third  more  cantharidin  than 
Spanish  fly  of  European  commerce.  These  flies  differ  from  the  Ganlhans 
Vesicatoria  in  some  particulars,  and  are  devoid  of  the  peculiar  green  lustre  on 
the  wings.  Some  discussion  ensued  as  to  the  principle,  cantharidin,  and  its 
development  in  the  fly,  as  being  connected  with  the  genital  organs  of  the  female 
fly,  and  being  present  only  at  a  certain  stage  in  its  life.  The  Chinese  fly  is  im- 
ported into  the  London  market  at  about  half  the  price  of  the  officinal  fly. 
Prof.  Procter  spoke  of  Gantharis  atrata,  which  is  not  a  Mylabris,  and 
which  he  has  had  for  some  time. 
This  being  the  last  meeting  until  the  autumn.  Prof.  Maisch  mentioned  that 
the  British  and  North  British  Societies  had  also  held  their  last  pharmaceutical 
meeting  of  the  season.  After  pleasant  conversation,  the  meeting  adjourned,  to 
meet  on  the  third  Tuesday  in  October. 
CLEMMONS  PARRISH,  Begktrar. 
The  Massachusetts  College  of  Pharmacy  held  the  commencement  of  its 
Sixth  Session,  at  Horticultural  Hall,  May  22d,  when  the  following  gentlemen 
received  the  degree  of  Graduate  in  Pharmacy:  Edward  C.  Boyden  [Assays 
of  Ten  Samples  of  Syrup  of  Iodide  of  Iron),  John  D.  Knowlton  (Black  Pep- 
per, with  Assays  of  Commercial  Samples),  Edgar  L.  Patch  (Pill  and  Powder 
Making),  Charles  E.  Tappan  (Examination  of  Commercial  Ginger  and  its  Pow- 
der),  James  T.  Wright  (Cream  of  Tartar  and,  its  Adulterations),  Nahum  Wash- 
burn, Jr.  (Assays  of  Ten  Samples  of  Commercial  Compound,  Tincture  of  Cin- 
chona). The  valedictory  address  was  delivered  by  Professor  James  F.  Bab- 
cock. 
The  New  York  College  of  Pharmacy  has  instituted  a  course  in  botany, 
under  the  superintendence  of  Mr.  P.  V.  Le  Roy,  Secretary  of  the  Torrey 
Botauical  Club.    The  excursions  take  place  every  two  weeks. 
Wm.  Manlius  Smith,  Ph.  D.,  has  been  selected  to  fill  the  chair  of  Practical 
Pharmacy,  made  vacant  by  the  resignation  of  Dr.  E.  R.  Squibb. 
