666 
A  Convenient  Drying  Box. 
/Am.  Jour.  Pharm. 
I  December,  1896. 
which  the  roots  have  been  gathered ;  the  younger  the  roots  the 
more  starch  they  contain,  and  the  more  insoluble  matter  there  is.  in 
the  extract  made  from  them.  In  some  countries,  young  and  old 
roots  are  gathered  indiscriminately ;  in  others  the  older  or  mature 
roots  alone  are  collected.  With  a  powdered  extract  of  licorice  con- 
taining more  than  40  per  cent,  of  soluble  matter  dissolved  in  the 
quantity  of  water  mentioned  in  the  above  formula,  it  is  obvious  that 
a  more  dense  solution  would  result,  and  it  is  probable  that  the 
formula  given  would  need  some  modification — more  water  and  a 
larger  sand  bed,  for  instance. 
The  standardization  of  the  mixed  percolates  is  a  simple  matter. 
Assuming,  for  example,  that  we  have  41  fluid  ounces  of  percolates, 
and  that  1  fluid  ounce  has  been  found  to  contain  60  grains  of  anhy- 
drous extract,  it  is  evident  that  there  are  2,400  grains  of  extract  in 
the  46  fluid  ounces  reserved,  a  quantity  sufficient  to  make  10  fluid 
ounces  of  a  glycerite  of  licorice  containing  240  grains  to  the  fluid 
ounce.  Then,  if  the  product  is  to  contain  25  per  cent,  by  volume  of 
glycerin,  it  will  only  be  necessary  to  evaporate  the  40  fluid  ounces 
down  to  7^  fluid  ounces,  and  add  the  glycerin. 
The  product  as  thus  made  is  a  black,  syrupy  liquid,  having  the 
characteristic  odor  and  taste  of  pure  licorice.  It  is  different  in 
physical  properties  from  the  usual  preparations,  being  free  from 
any  objectionable  taste  or  ingredient,  and  standardized  to  a  definite 
strength.  It  seems  to  be  permanent  in  keeping  qualities,  samples 
made  by  the  writer  several  months  ago  having  remained  unchanged. 
Syrup  of  licorice  may  be  made  extemporaneously  from  the  glyce- 
rite, in  the  proportion  of  one-fourth  by  volume  of  glycerite  to  three- 
fourths  by  volume  of  syrup. 
The  writer  is  pursuing  experiments  upon  the  making  of  the 
syrup  and  other  licorice  preparations  with  the  glycerite,  and  hopes 
to  report  upon  these  later. 
A  CONVENIENT  DRYING  BOX. 
By  Thomas  S.  Wiegand. 
The  very  many  instances  in  which  the  pharmacist  and  those  en- 
gaged in  chemical  pursuits  require  some  easy  method  of  desiccating 
various  substances  in  larger  quantities  than  can  be  done  in  the  glass 
desiccators  in  common  use  in  laboratory  work,  induced  me  to  call 
