Am\5nT'i884ari5'  }        Pharmaceutical  Colleges  and  Associations.  '  225 
ment  that  sulphuric  acid  is  formed  when  wood  is  boiled  with  sulphites ; 
moreover,  he  believes  that  the  sulphurous  anhydride  dissolves  the  inerus- 
tating  substances  of  the  wood,  bleaches  the  coloring  matters,  and  deposits 
finely  divided  sulphur  in  the  fibres,  whilst  the  resins,  which  are  attacked 
by  sulphurous  anhydride,  form  soaps  with  the  base  of  the  bisulphite.  These, 
together  with  the  sulphur,  remain  in  the  fibre  and  add  considerably  to  its 
weight ;  the  loss  during  the  washing  operations  is  therefore  not  of  fibre  but 
of  the  mass-compound  of  sulphur,  resin  and  lime. 
Cross  is  under  the  impression  that  the  action  of  the  magnesium  sulphite 
is  to  prevent  the  oxidation  of  wood  and  lignified  cellulose  when  heated 
with  water  under  pressure.  For  comparing  the  success  of  the  different 
sulphite  processes,  the  test  for  lignose  with  aniline  sulphate  is  said  to  give 
unsatisfactory  results  :  it  is  preferable  to  treat  the  cellulose  first  with  chlo- 
rine and  then  with  sodium  sulphite  ;  if  lignose  is  present,  a  magenta  color 
is  produced.— Jour.  Chem.  Soc,  Feb.,  1884  ;  Dingl.  Polyt.  Jour.,  vol.  249. 
PHARMACEUTICAL  COLLEGES  AND  ASSOCIATIONS. 
Philadelphia  College  of  Pharmacy. — At  the  close  of  the  Junior 
course  an  examination  was  held  on  Thursday,  February  14.  The  practical 
examination  took  place  in  the  forenoon;  the  written  examination,  which 
was  held  in  the  afternoon  and  evening,  was  on  the  following  questions  : 
BOTANY  AND  MATERIA  MEDICA. 
1.  Leaves.  Describe  briefly  their  anatomical  structure  (Epidermis,  Sto- 
mata,  Parenchyma,  Palisade  Layer  and  Veins). 
2.  Explain  by  description  or  diagram  the  general  character  of  Indefinite 
or  Centripetal,  and  of  Definite  or  Centrifugal  Inflorescence.  Show  how  both 
forms  are  combined  in  the  inflorescence  of  mint. 
3.  Seeds.  Give  two  examples  each  of  seeds  with  and  without  albumen. 
What  is  the  origin  of  the  tissue  called  albumen  (Endosperm  and  Peri- 
sperm)  ? 
4.  Peppermint.  Give  the  botanical  name  and  habitat  of  the  plant. 
Describe  it  (stem,  branches,  leaves,  inflorescence,  calyx,  corolla,  stamens, 
ovary).  How  much  Volatile  Oil  does  it  yield  ?  What  is  the  name  of  its 
Stearopten  ? 
5.  Coniferce.  In  what  respect  does  the  structure  of  the  wood  differ  from 
that  of  dicotyledons?  Name  several  officinal  drugs  derived  from  this  natu- 
ral order. 
CHEMISTRY. 
1.  What  is  a  Thermometer?  What  two  Thermometer  Scales  are  now- 
used  in  the  United  States  Pharmacopoeia?  What  are  the  fixed  points  on 
each  of  these,  and  how  is  the  intervening  space  divided?  How  can  yon 
convert  readings  of  one  of  these  into  the  corresponding  readings  of  the 
other?  What  are  the  limits  of  heat  and  cold  capable  of  being  recorded  by 
the  Mercury  Thermometer? 
2.  In  what  several  ways  can  electricity  be  developed?  Is  there  any 
difference  in  the  character  of  the  Electricity  developed  by  the  frictional 
machine  and  that  developed  by  the  galvanic  battery.  Which  would  be 
used  for  nickel  or  silver  plating,  and  which  hns  the  stronger  physiological 
effect? 
3.  How  is  Chlorine  made?  State  the  materials  used  and  write  the  chemi- 
cal reaction.   How  do  you  explain  its  bleaching  action  ?   What  compounds 
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