Am  Jour.  Pharm. 
Sept.,  1879 
Varieties. 
473 
country  it  is  used  in  cases  where  quinia  is  indicated,  and  is  reported  to  possess  anti- 
periodicand  similar  qualities  as  Peruvian  bark.  However,  the  experiments  made  by  Dr. 
Penzoldt  on  animals  did  not  verify  this  statement.  He  found  that  its  use  (a  watery 
solution  of  an  alcoholic  extract)  exerted  a  decided  influence  on  the  respiratory  organs, 
and  infers  that  it  might  be  a  valuable  remedy  in  asthma,  dysphora,  etc.  His  experi- 
ments on  man  are  not  sufficiently  advanced  yet  to  permanently  establish  its  merit. 
It  appears  that  large  quantities  of  the  wood  are  exported  to  Germany  and  used  there 
for  tanning  purposes.  It  possesses  similar  medical  properties,  however,  in  a  much 
milder  form.  J.  A. 
Fanque  on  Duboisina — A  drop  of  duboisina  solution  causes  no  more  irritation 
of  the  eye  than  a  drop  of  water.  A  |  per  cent.  (2}  gr.)  solution  dropped  into  the 
•eye  causes  the  pupil  to  dilate  ad  maximum  in  twenty  minutes.  The  dilatation  dis- 
appears entirely  in  seven  days.  The  accommodation  is  abolished  in  from  fifteen  to 
thirty  minutes,  its  paralysis  lasting  thirty-six  to  forty-eight  hours,  and  retiring  on  the 
third  day. —  Centralblatt  fur  Augenheilkunde,  April,  1879,  fr°m  Cine.  Lancet  and 
Clinic July  12. 
The  Eucalyptus. — On  the  line  of  railroad  between  Los  Angeles  and  Anaheim 
about  180  acres  have  been  set  out  with  eucalyptus,  containing  over  80,000  trees, 
and  more  than  half  of  them  are  now  fifteen  to  twenty  feet  heigh.  The  young  tree 
has  been  produced  in  California  during  the  past  year  in  greater  abundance  than  ever, 
and  sold  by  the  nurserymen  at  much  lower  prices,  with  a  greatly  increased  demand. 
Like  many  other  novelties,  the  cultivation  of  the  eucalyptus  has  been  subject  to 
much  fanciful  discussion,  and  its  good  effects  doubtless  somewhat  exaggerated.  But 
on  the  evidence  we  have  heretofore  published  from  time  to  time  of  the  salutary 
effects  which  have  followed  its  culture  in  Algeria,  the  Pontine  and  other  marshes, 
there  seems  to  be  no  question.  New  Orleans  and  thereabouts  would  seem  to  be  a 
specially  inviting  region  for  its  introduction. — Sanitarian,  June,  1879,  P-  25  5- 
Analysis  of  Coffee  Leaves.1  By  Otto  Hehner,  F.C.S — A  sample  of  roasted 
coffee  leaves,  analyzed  by  W.  Stenhouse  contained  1*2  per  cent,  of  theina,  2*1  per 
cent,  of  total  nitrogen,  and  yielded  38*8  per  cent,  of  extractive  matter,  the  infusion 
possessing  a  taste  as  of  tea. and  coffee  combined. 
Having  recently  had  a  sample  of  the  slightly  roasted  leaves,  as  used  in  Brisbane, 
Australia,  handed  to  me,  I  have  examined  them  with  the  following  results  : 
Moisture,    ....  io^") 
Theina,  .  •  .  .        0*29  | 
Soluble  nitrogenous  matter,  .  5-10  \  Soluble. 
Soluble  mineral  salts,    .  .  .        4-95  j 
Other  extractive  matter,        .  19  81  ) 
Insoluble  nitrogenous  matter,  .  .  13*35  | 
Cellulose,     ....  34'5i  j 
Chlorophyl,  and   other  insoluble  non-  \  Insoluble 
nitrogenous  substances,  .  .  7-83  | 
Insoluble  mineral  salts,       .           .  3  87  J 
IOO'OO 
Read  before  the  Society  of  Public  Analysts,  February  19th,  1879. 
