12 ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS, 
water having proved an exception to the general results, as 
here seen. 
SARSAPARILLA, 120 PARTS. 
1st. 
Maceration. Displacement. Mac. and Displac't. 
Water, 540 parts, I Water, 600 parts, I Water, 638 parts, 
Extract, 20 do. | Extract, 17 do. | Extract, 19 do. 
SARSAPARILLA, 300 PARTS. 
2d. 
Maceration. Displacement. Mac. and Displac't. 
Water, 1200 parts, | Water, 2950 parts, I Water, 1350 parts, 
Extract, 5S do. | Extract, 54 do. | Extract, 52 do. 
3d. 
Water, 900 parts, I Water, 1601 parts, I Water, 1022 parts, 
Extract, 29 do. | Extract, 33 do. | Extract, 31 do. 
This seeming inconsistency can only proceed from a differ- 
ence in the degree of absorption. I have found, in moisten- 
ing a vegetable powder placed in the funnel, that sometimes, 
from a greater porosity in one direction of the substance, the 
liquid would be freely absorbed, and percolation rapidly fol- 
low ; while another part, in closer contact, would be quite dry 
from exclusion of the liquid. Where the saturation is incom- 
plete, inequalities of product must ensue. With such as are 
likely to occasion this inconvenience, I first moisten the pow- 
der in a capsule, and then place it in the instrument, with a 
little pressure. 
It must be borne in mind, that while the product in some 
instances is less by displacement, it is much more soluble, 
and far more active in medicinal properties, than when ob- 
tained by maceration or decoction. Witness the following 
experiments which 1 made with uva ursi, and likewise those 
of Messrs. B. as shown in the table, which are fully explicit 
upon this point. 
