502 
PROCEEDINGS  OF  THE 
the  District  of  Columbia  to  the  Association,  on  behalf  of  the  body- 
he  represented,  which  was  accepted. 
The  reading  of  scientific  papers  being  in  order,  R.  H.  Stabler, 
of  Alexandria,  read  an  answer  to  the  following  question. 
15.  On  what  proximate  principle  does  the  anthelmintic  power  of  Spigelia 
depend  ; ,  is  it  volatile,  and  is  the  odor  of  the  drug  a  good  criterion  of  its 
quality  ;  is  said  principle  soluble  in  water ;  and  what  effect  have  the  car- 
bonated alkalies  upon  it  ? 
The  paper  was  referred  to  the  Executive  Committee  for  pub- 
lication.   [See  the  sequel  for  this  paper.] 
16.  Dr.  Wright,  of  Kentucky,  has  recently  recommended  the  bark  of 
Liquidamber  ^tyraciflua,  as  a  remedy  in  diarrhoea  and  dysentery,  made 
into  a  syrup  with  cold  water.  He  likewise  states  that  the  resinous  exu- 
dation which  this  tree  produces  at  the  South,  is  obtainable  by  incision 
from  the  tree  in  the  States  bordering  on  the  Ohio  river,  and  that  the 
Kentucky  product  contains  benzoic  acid  and  Styracin.  It  is  desirable  to 
have  the  latter  statement  corroborated ;  and  if  verified,  the  per  centage 
of  benzoic  acid  it  will  yield,  and  the  practicability  of  obtaining  it  as  an  ar- 
ticle of  commerce. 
Valentine  Harbaugh,  of  Washington,  not  having  reported  on 
this  subject,  Prof.  Procter  made  a  verbal  statement  that  Daniel 
Hanbury,  of  London,  had  answered  the  question  so  far  as  to  de- 
termine that  the  acid  in  this  resin  of  liquidamber  is  not  benzoic 
but  cinnamic  acid. 
17.  To  what  extent  is  the  fecula  of  the  Maranta  arundinacea  produced 
in  the  States  of  Georgia  and  Florida,  and  what  impediments  prevent  its 
being  made  to  rival  that  of  Bermuda,  in  beauty  and  excellence  ? 
This  subject  was  referred,  without  permission,  to  Robert  Bat- 
tey,  of  Georgia,  but  no  report  has  been  received. 
18.  What  are  the  most  approved  methods  of  rendering  medicines  pal- 
atable to  the  taste  and  pleasing  to  the  eye  ? 
Frederick  Stearns,  of  Detroit,  read  a  long  and  interesting  re- 
port on  this  subject,  illustrated  by  various  specimens  of  glycer- 
oles  or  syrups  in  which  glycerin  takes  the  place  of  sugar — re- 
markable for  transparency  and  beauty. 
This  paper  elicited  many  remarks,  and  was  directed  to  be  pub- 
lished in  the  proceedings. 
19.  What  are  the  present  sources  of  Senega,  Serpentaria  spigelia  and 
other  prominent  American  roots,  etc.,  as  supplied  in  commerce  ? 
