S6 
MISCELLANY. 
family. Thompson thinks that it is extracted from the seeds of two 
genera, Thea and Camellia. This oil has hitherto been unknown in Eu- 
rope. The following are its properties: — When fresh it is inodorous, of 
a pale yellow color, yields no deposit, is insoluble in alcohol, very little so 
in ether, burns with a clear white flame, resists cold of 40° F. (4.44 C.) 
without thickening, at 39° resembles emulsion; its specific weight is .927; 
it is composed of 
Elain, 75 parts, 
Stearin, 25 " 
100 
As regards its elementary composition, this is 'according to this che- ■ 
mist, 
Carbon, 78.619 
Hydrogen, 11.527 
Oxygen, 9.854 
100.000 
The author is induced to believe that this oil might be an important 
object of trade in the East, because it is superior in its qualities to cocoa 
nut oil, as also to other oils commonly employed in Asiatic countries, as 
well for illumination as nourishment. Journ. de Ckimie Med. 
The preparation of strong Mercurial Ointment, by J. Lalande, — To 
obtain from lard and mercury in determinate quantities, by a longer or 
shorter agitation, so perfect a mixture that the smallest portion shall con- 
tain the two bodies in their respective proportions, is an operation of 
such importance, that a great number of pharmaceutists have made it the 
object of their study. All, by different means, have arrived at a result 
nearly identical, but, nevertheless, inferior to that process to which 1 have 
given the preference after many trials. The annual use of a large quan- 
tity of mercurial ointment to stop the itch in sheep, made me perceive 
that it would be an advantage if I could obtain a prompt and infallible 
mode to form the most exact possible mixture of the lard and mercury, 
R. Purified mercury, lb. iv. 
Spermaceti, 
Almond oil or lard, aa, % v. Modus faciendi. 
Strain into an iron mortar the lard and spermaceti, well united by 
melting over a gentle fire, then add the mercury, and commence tritu- 
ration with a pestle of wood or iron ; after the labor of some hours, a deep 
slate colored mixture will be obtained, in which no globules can be per- 
ceived by the naked eye, or even by a strong magnifier. The only thing 
which can mark with certainty the termination of the operation is, if un- 
