DISPENSATORY OF THE U. S. OF AMERICA. 
is habit. For (he botanical account of the species, the Flora 
of North America may be consulted. 
Sarsaparilla. — In addition to the three species described 
in the last edition, a fourth is at present noticed, called Smi- 
lax medica. The old species, S. sarsaparilla, is our own 
plant, and as it is known, at least by American pharmacolo- 
gists, not to afford the drug, it ought to be given up. The 
Brazilliari) or, as it is called, Para sarsaparilla, is more 
particularly described. It, of late, has come into our mar- 
kets, and is less scarce than formerly. 
Senna. — We do not perceive that any new information 
has been presented with respect to the plants affording this 
drug. Several years ago, we advocated the idea, in this 
Journal, that the Cassia lanceolata of Forskal and Nectoux, 
and C.acutifola of Delile, were varieties of the same plant. 
Independent of other considerations, which were presentee! 
at length, our faith in the opinion was supported by the 
views of Decandolle. Lindley, however, regards them now 
as distinct. The Tripoli senna is referred to the C. JEtht- 
opica of Guibourt, which is the same as C. ovata of Merat. 
We shall here close our remarks upon the vegetable pro- 
ducts. With respect to animal substances, we perceive no 
alterations worthy of record. The additions that have been 
made to the articles of inorganic origin, are such as the ad- 
vance in chemical discovery rendered necessary. 
Jlcidnm arse)iiosu?n.—>ThQ subject of the antidote to this 
virulent poison is more elaborately and precisely treated of 
than it was in the last edition. The rationale of its operation 
is thus given: "The antidote acts by producing with the 
poison, by a transfer of oxygen from the oxide to the acid, 
an insoluble, and therefore inert, sub-arseniate of protoxide 
of iron, (4FeO + As 2 5 )." Under this head, the full im- 
portance of our able collaborator, Mr. W. Procter's, experi- 
ments has been set forth. 
Ammonite murias.— -The description of the process for 
preparing this compound is changed, and that pursued by 
