ON THE MODE OF PRESERVING COLCHICUM CORMI. 53 
few be placed in their entire state near those that have 
been mutilated, and the difference in a week or two will 
be very manifest, the entire cormi will appear quite fresh. 
The plan I adopt is more safe and economical than that 
usually followed, as the cormi are not exposed to a high 
temperature, nor are their juices under the direct influence 
of the atmosphere, both of which circumstances are inju- 
rious to the more delicate medicinal vegetable articles. 
I have chosen this season of the year to make this com- 
munication, because the time is near when the cormi col- 
chici will be ripe: they should be dried before the bud has 
sprouted. August is a very proper time for preparing 
them. I hope some, at least, of the pharmaceutical che- 
mists will try the method, if it be but on a small scale. I 
cannot at present recommend it to be generally adopted, as 
it is contrary to the explicit orders of the College, and those 
who have the temerity to break the laws therein laid down, 
know very well that " they will not only incur Her Ma- 
jesty's displeasure, but be proceeded against for such 
their contempt and offence according to the utmost seve- 
rity of the law." 
But practitioners may follow the laws of nature and the 
dictates of their conscience in reference to pharmacy, with- 
out the fear of penal statutes, and I hope there are many 
who do, and that they will aid in carrying out improve- 
ments in Materia Medica, Pharmacy, and Therapeutics. 
Rid. 
