2io         Pharmaceutical  Colleges  and  Associations.  {A%£™\f5£rB1" 
surfaces,  the  latter  ending  in  a  tube  of  half  an  inch  diameter  and  of  similar  length  ; 
this  fits  into  the  metal  cup  of  the  bamboo  shaft.  The  upper  convex  surface  is 
pierced  in  the  centre  with  a  metal  tube,  having  a  funnel-shaped  aperture  about  one 
thirty-second  of  an  inch  in  diameter.  The  cavity  of  the  bowl,  as  here  exhibited, 
is  of  a  capacity  of  nearly  a  hundred  cubic  centimeters. 
The  pipe  is  filled  by  taking  up  on  the  apex  of  one  of  the  knitting  needles  a  small 
portion  of  the  extract,  usually  from  2  to  5  grains,  and  holding  it  momentarily  in  the 
flame  of  the  lamp,  rotating  the  needle  dexterously  meanwhile,  then  withdrawing  it 
only  to  repeat  the  same  operation  until  the  extract  is  dried  to  light  brown  color  and 
of  just  such  consistency  that  it  sticks  to  the  pipe,  when,  with  a  dexterous  twist,  the 
point  of  the  needle  is  inserted  into  the  apex  opening  of  the  upper  convex  suiface  of 
the  bowl,  and  the  needle  instantly  withdrawn  by  a  rotary  motion  ;  this  manoeuvre 
places  the  extract  in  the  shape  of  an  inverted  pyramid,  with  a  central  opening  com- 
municating with  the  orifice  leading  into  the  cavity  of  the  bowl.  It  is  during  this 
evaporation  of  the  extract  over  the  lamp  that  the  cultivated  smoker  judges  of  the 
quality  of  the  opium  :  if  it  bubbles  up  to  that  delicate  shade  of  light  brown,  and, 
at  the  same  time,  gives  off  the  peculiar  odor  so  characteristic  to  the  trained  olfactory 
nerve  bulbs  of  the  Mongolian  smoker,  then  is  he  satisfied  of  the  quality  of  the 
extract  purchased. 
The  bowl  being  filled,  it  is  inverted  over  the  flame  of  the  lamp  at  an  angle  of 
about  450,  and  the  volatilizing  narcotic  rapidly  drawn  by  a  few  strong  inspirations 
into  the  body  of  the  pipe,  and  so  on  into  the  pulmonary  cavities.  The  inspiration 
thus  made  is  peculiar  ;  it  is  not  only  buccal,  but  more  strongly  pulmonary.  The 
inspiration  is  slow  and  deep  and  prolonged,  until  the  chest  is  filled  with  the  narcotic 
vapor,  and  expiration  then  occurs  with  the  mouth  closed,  and  the  expired  smoke 
issuing  slowly  through  the  nostrils. 
The  quantity  smoked  varies  greatly  with  different  smokers,  it  varying  from  30 
grains  to  upwards  of  300  or  400  grains  at  one  sitting,  this  being  from  10  to  100 
pipefuls  of  the  extract.  The  whole  process  is  done  in  the  most  methodical  manner 
The  veriest  coolie  or  wealthiest  merchant  proceeds  to  arrange  his  lamp  and  extract 
and  pipe  with  a  solemn  gravity  ludicrous  to  behold.  In  this  grave  affair  of  state, 
perhaps  five,  ten  or  even  fifteen  minutes  are  consumed,  then  follows  an  interval  of 
placidity  in  those  unaccustomed  to  smoking,  to  be  followed  by  another  and  another 
smoke.  But  we  begin  to  feel  almost  like  opium  smokers  ourselves  breathing  so  long 
the  atmosphere  DeQuincy  called  "  the  mephitic  regions  of  carbonic  acid  gas,"  so 
we  ascend  to  the  upper  regions  of  the  street,  and  realize,  as  we  never  have  before, 
the  fresh,  invigorating  influence  of  the  brisk  midnight  air  of  the  ocean  coast. 
Philadelphia,  Twelfth  mo.  30th,  1878. 
PHARMACEUTICAL  COLLEGES  AND  ASSOCIATIONS. 
Philadelphia  College  of  Pharmacy. — The  examination  of  the  members  of  the 
Junior  Class  was  held  on  the  afternoon  and  evening  of  February  15th.  In  addition 
to  twelve  specimens  of  medicinal  chemicals,  drugs  and  pharmaceutical  preparations 
