AMjanD^;i874RM'}   Gleanings  from  the  European  Journals.  13 
Iodide  of  Calcium. — Ch.  Meniere  recommends  to  prepare  it  from 
sulphuret  of  calcium,  because  the  other  metallic  oxides  are  then  effect- 
ually removed ;  some  iodate  of  calcium  which  is  likewise  formed,  has 
to  be  deoxidized  by  calcining  the  saline  mass  with  a  little  charcoal ; 
the  residue  should  then  be  dissolved  in  95  per  cent,  alcohol,  when 
the  pure  iodide  will  be  obtained. 
During  the  siege  of  Paris,  iodide  of  calcium  was  usually  found  to 
be  fraudulently  mixed  with  iodide  of  potassium.  The  author  calls 
attention  to  the  presence  of  sometimes  considerable  quantities  of  lime 
in  the  commercial  iodide  of  calcium,*  added  for  the  purpose  of  obtain- 
ing a  white  salt. — Ibid. 
Influence  of  Camphor  and  Oil  of  Turpentine  upon  Vegetable  Life. 
— Since  Barton's  experiments  in  1798,  no  further  investigations  ap- 
pear to  have  been  made  with  camphor  and  plants.  The  results  re- 
cently obtained  by  Dr.  L.  Raab  and  Aug.  Vogel,  modify,  to  some 
extent,  Barton's  views;  while  camphor  stimulates  the  vital  func- 
tions of  some  plants,  it  is  without  influence  upon  others,  and  acts  even 
injuriously  upon  some.  The  most  beneficial  influence  was  observed 
upon  germination,  which,  almost  without  exception,  is  either  hastened, 
or,  if  partly  lost,  restored. 
Water  containing  oil  of  turpentine  has  a  similar  stimulating  action 
upon  germinating  plants,  but  when  further  advanced,  it  becomes  de- 
cidedly hurtful.—  Buchners  N.  Repert.,  1872.  545. 
So-called  Antimonic  Bluc\ — C.  Kraus  has  proved  that  this  new 
pigment  is  a  compound  of  cyanogen  and  iron,  and  that  antimony  is 
not  necessary  for  its  formation  ;  it  is  obtained  by  boiling  ferrocyanide 
of  potassium  in  muriatic  acid,  hydrocyanic  acid  gas  being  copiously 
evolved,  and  the  production  of  the  pigment  is  hastened  not  only  by 
metallic  antimony,  but  also  by  antimonic  chloride  and  by  solutions  of 
mercury.  When  first  produced,  the  color  of  the  precipitate  is  often 
green,  but  on  exposure  to  the  air  it  invariably  changes  to  blue.| — 
Ibid,  548—551. 
*  We  have  also  met  with  bromide  of  calcium  which  had  been  whitened  by 
the  addition  of  lime  ;  a  basic  salt  of  a  strong  alkaline  reaction  is  formed,  and 
this  is  readily  obtained  very  white.  Iodide  and  chloride  of  calcium  are  similar 
in  their  behavior  towards  lime. — Editor. 
t  See  American  Journal  of  Pharmacy,  1872,  p.  301. 
X  This  pigment  appears  to  be  closely  allied  to  if  not.  identical  with  the  com- 
pound formed  by  the  officinal  process  for  hydrocyanic  acid. 
