84 NOTICE OE SOME BRAZILIAN DRUGS. 
cohol, partly in water, and that there remained an insipid, in- 
soluble matter. M. Batka pointed out the existence of a pe- 
culiar principle to which has been given the name of guara- 
nine. The most elaborate analysis, however, made of it, has 
been by M. Berthemot and Dechastelus, who determined 
guarana to contain, independently of pulp, starch, &c, a greenish 
oily matter, tannic acid — affording greenish ferruginous salts, 
and a crystalline substance. This latter is the guaranine of 
M. Batka, which the last mentioned experimenters have de- 
termined to be identical with caffein, and to be in union with 
tannic acid. In the " Formulario" this article is mentioned as 
a tonic and astringent, administered in the form of infusion or 
decoction. For a more detailed statement of the modes of 
exhibition the reader is referred to page 54, vol. 13th, of this 
Journal, by M. Dechastelus. 
Extract of Guarahem or Buranhem. 
Under this name has been sent to us the article known as 
Monesia, which two or three years since attracted the atten- 
tion of the public. In the " Formulario" it is referred to a 
species of Chrysophyllum, but this is extremely questionable. 
For an exposition of this subject, we may refer to the notice 
of Monesia at page 152, vol. 13, of this journal. 
Brazilian Bark. 
The specimens which under this designation have been sent 
to us consist of quills from 3 or 4 to 18 inches in length, an 
inch in diameter, and 2 lines in thickness, either singly or 
doubly rolled. Externally they are covered with a smooth 
epidermis of a brownish or ferruginous, and somewhat mica- 
ceous appearance, which is wrinkled from drying, and marked 
with transverse superficial fissures. The substance beneath, 
where the epidermis has been pealed off, is brown, and marked 
by shining minute apparently crystalline specks. Internally 
the surface is smooth, and of the same brown colour. The 
fracture is short and somewhat splintery. They have a tan- 
like odour, and a marked bitter taste. From the examination 
