224 
POTATO STARCH. 
ART. L1II.— POTATO STARCH. 
Dr. Pereira has published in the PharmaceuticalJour- 
nal some interesting observations on this' fecula, which it 
appears is extensively used in England for adulterating 
dietetical and pharmaceutical substances, and is sold in the 
shops under various names. 
"At some of the Italian warehouses in London, it is sold 
under the name of potato-flour; being used by cooks in the 
preparation of souffles, and sometimes for thickening gravies, 
sauces, &c, on account of its being cheap, tasteless, and 
soluble. 
"At Mr. Butler's, in Covent Garden market, it is sold in 
tin canisters, under the name of English arrow-root, and is 
used as a farinaceous food for infants and invalids, as well as 
for the preparation of puddings. 
"Bright's nutritious farina is a carefully prepared potato- 
starch, very slightly colored and aromatized. It is used for 
the same purposesas the preparation last referred to; it makes 
Very agreeable puddings. 
"The powder sold as the Prince of Wales' food, prepared 
by the Patent Farina Company, is potato-starch. 
In High Holborn, there is an establishment professing to 
sell Indian-corn-starch. On examination, Mr. P. found 
that the substance sold under this name is potato-starch, to 
which a blue tinge has been communicated, probably by in- 
digo. The naked eye is sufficient to recognize it. By the 
microscope, the shape and size of the grains, which are very 
different to those of the real fecula of maize, or Indian corn, 
readily distinguish it as potato-starch. 
" The powder sold as Anderson's soluble starch, is iden- 
tical with the so-called Indian corn-starch; in other words, 
it is colored potato-starch. 
