ESSAY ON SCAMMONY. 
7 
employed by Pereira, Christison, and Royle; it is called 
ScammonSe d'Jilep superieure, by Guibourt, and simply 
Scammonee d^Jllep, by Fee. The following are the cha- 
racteristics: Fragments irregular, apparently portions of 
larger masses ; rough, worn, and ash-coloured externally, 
or as if covered with a greyish powder ; friable, breaking 
between the fingers, or with the nail ; fracture resinous, 
presenting shining greenish black surfaces, with here and 
there small cavities and greyish crevices ; the thin fragments 
semi-transparent. Structure compact and light ; becoming 
whitish by the application of moisture and friction, or in 
the mouth ; having a peculiar taste like cooked butter, with- 
out bitterness,but a little acridity slowly developed, the odour 
being disagreeable, cheese-like, sp. gr. 1 .2. The exterior coat 
effervesces with muriated acid, probably from the mass 
having, when soft, been rolled in chalk; there is no reaction 
with iodine, and it takes fire readily, burning with a yellow 
flame. Dr. Christison states that this kind is almost all 
soluble in boiling rectified spirits ; and sulphuric ether takes 
up at least 77 per cent., indeed 82 or S3 per cent, if the 
specimen be tolerably dry. It breaks down readily in 
water, forming a smooth but not permanent emulsion. 
Several analyses have been made ; those of the eminent 
Edinburgh pharmacologist are particularly worthy of notice. 
We shall give such as are important. 
Christison. 
1, Old Scammony. 2. Old Scammony. 
Resin, . . 81.S 83.0 
Gum, . . 6.0 8.0 
Starch, . . 1.0 0.0 
Fibre and sand, . 3.5 3.2 
Water, . . 7.7 7.2 
100.00 grs. 101.4 
Gain probably in water, 1.4 
100.00 
