MISCELLANY. 
239 
drops of the oil are then added to 1 drop of fuming sulphuric acid, and 
the two are mixed with the finger. — lb. from Archiv. der Pharm. 
Adulteration of Iodide of Potassium. — M. Destouches found in some 
iodide of potassium derived from Paris 22 per cent, carbonate of potash. 
The preparation was milk-white, turned red litmus-paper strongly blue, 
and effervesced with weak acids. — lb. from Joum. de Pharm. 
Mode of ascertaining the Purity of Myrrh. By M. Righini. — The 
myrrh is finely pulverized and triturated for a quarter of an hour with 
an equal weight of sal-ammoniac powder, then 15 times the weight of 
water gradually added. If the whole dissolve quickly and entirely, the 
myrrh is pure. — lb. from Joum. de Chim. Med. 
Of the Manufacture of enamelled cast Iron Vessels. — Iron pots, and es- 
pecially thos eof enamelled cast iron, are very extensively used in do- 
mestic economy. To enamel these vessels, they are cleaned as per- 
fectly as possible with weak sulphuric acid, then washed with cold wa- 
ter, and dipped into a thin paste made with quartz first melted with bo- 
rax, felspar, and clay free from iron, then reduced to an impalpable 
powder, and sufficient water added to form a rather thin paste. These 
vessels are then powdered in the inside with a linen bag, containing a 
very finely-pulverized mixture of felspar, carbonate of soda, borax and 
a little oxide of tin. Nothing then remains but to dry the pieces, and 
heat them in an enammelling furnace. The coating obtained is very 
white, resists the action of fire without cracking, and completely resists 
acid or alkaline solutions. — Chem. Gaz. 
On Benzoline, a new organic Salt-base obtained from Oil of Bitter 
Almonds. By George Fownes, Esq., F. R. S. — Pure oil of bitter 
almonds is converted, by the action of a strong solution of ammonia, 
into a solid white substance having a crystalline form, and which was 
termed by M. Laurent hydrobenzamide. The author found that this sub- 
stance, by the further action of alkalies, became harder and less fusible 
than before, and not differing in chemical composition from the original 
substance, but exhibiting the properties of an organic salt-base. To this 
substance the author gives the name of benzoline. He finds that the 
salts which it forms by combination with acids are, in general, remark- 
able for their sparing solubility; and that many of them, as the hydro- 
chlorate, the nitrate and the sulphate, are crystallizable. Of the proper- 
ties of these salts the author gives a detailed account. — Ibid. 
