Amsept.%893arm"}  Gleanings  from  the  German  Journals.  459 
pelargonic  acid  ;  lastly  of  small  quantities  of  aromatic  bodies.  The 
statement  of  Kobert  that  the  oleo-resin  of  Aspidium  filix  mas,  if 
deprived  of  the  ethereal  oil  was  of  inferior  action  (Am.  Jour.  Pharm., 
!893.  I  35)  is  also  true  of  the  oleo-resin  of  A.  athamanticum. — Arch, 
der  Pharm.,  1893,  345-  35^. 
Siam  benzoin,  examined  by  the  method  of  analysis  as  described 
under  Sumatra  benzoin  (Am.  Journ.  Pharm.,  1893,  223)»  contained 
the  following  constituents  :  0-3  per  cent,  of  an  oily,  aromatic,  neu- 
tral liquid,  which  was  proven  to  be  an  ester  of  benzoic  acid  ;  the 
alcohol,  possibly  cinnamyl  or  benzyl,  owing  to  the  small  quantity,  was 
not  identified,  but  was  found  to  give  the  odor  of  benzaldehyde  when 
mixed  with  sodium  hydrate  and  potassium  permanganate  ;  0-15  per 
cent,  vanillin  ;  some  free  benzoic  acid  ;  the  greater  portion  of  the 
benzoin  is  composed  of  two  esters — the  benzoates  of  benzoresinol 
and  of  siaresinotannol.  The  benzoresinol,  C16H2602  (of  which  about 
5  percent,  was  obtained),  is  identical  with  that  found  in  the  Sumatra 
benzoin  ;  it  crystallizes  especially  well  from  acetone,  forming  groups 
of  long,  white  prisms.  The  second  alcohol,  siaresinotannol,  present 
to  the  extent  of  57  per  cent.,  has  the  formula  C12Hu03,  in  other 
respects  it  agrees  with  the  resinotannol  from  the  Sumatra  benzoin. 
Siam  benzoin  is  perfectly  soluble  in  ether ;  if  this  solution  be 
agitated  with  a  dilute  solution  of  potassium  hydrate,  the  entire 
liquid  will  suddenly  solidify,  forming  a  jelly-like  mass,  which,  under 
the  microscope,  is  seen  to  be  a  mixture  of  minute  yellow  needles 
and  an  amorphous  mass.  The  crystals  are  potassium-benzoresinol, 
and  their  ready  formation  was  availed  of  in  the  separation  of  the 
two  alcohols. — Fritz  Ludy,  Arch,  der  Pharm.,  1893,  461-480. 
Alkaline  solution  of  peptonate  of  iron. — 15  5  gm.  pure  peptone 
dissolved  in  80  gm.  water  are  mixed  with  185  gm.  solution  of  oxy- 
chloride  of  iron,  Ph.G.  Ill,  and  the  mixture  carefully  neutralized 
with  solution  of  soda ;  the  precipitate  is  collected,  washed  until  free 
from  chlorine,  warmed  with  200  gm.  simple  syrup,  solution  of  soda 
carefully  added  until  the  precipitate  is  dissolved  and  diluted  with 
water  to  1,000  gm. — (Berl.  Apoth.  Ver.)  Apotheker  Ztg.>  1893,  370. 
It  has  been  brought  to  our  notice  that  the  exhibits  of  the  manufacturing 
pharmacists  at  the  Columbian  Exposition  are  located  in  the  gallery  of  the 
liberal  arts  building,  and  as  from  its  position  it  is  liable  to  be  overlooked,  we 
beg  leave  to  here  call  attention  to  its  position. 
