320 
MISCELLANY. 
evaporating dish, and twice as many drops of water. If the salt con- 
tains either fatty matter or starch, these will remain; whilst, if they 
are absent, the whole will be dissolved. Next apply heat to the solu- 
tion, and as it becomes concentrated the acid will char any sugar 
which may be present, which will be indicated by a black stain round 
the edge of the solution, and the whole will speedily assume the same 
colour. By this means 1 or 2 per cent, of organic matter may be re- 
cognised in as many minutes without trouble. It is said that salicine 
is an occasional adulteration, and, if present, it is detected by the same 
proceeding. If a very minute quantity only is mixed with the quinine, 
blood-red points, and ultimately a general reddish colour, are pro- 
duced as the concentration proceeds. It is a good plan to observe 
the effect of the sulphuric acid before the addition of water, as it 
acts upon the salicine cold, producing the blood-red colour. Thus 
the single test of sulphuric acid, diluted and heated, detects nearly 
every impurity which is found in the disulphate • for starch fatty 
matters and insoluble earthy salts are left undissolved before the 
application of heat, and salicine, gum and sugar are shown by the 
effects of heat on the solution. Pure disulphate of quinine is not 
affected by sulphuric acid applied as above. — Ibid } from Lancet. 
Note. — In the article on a new caustic by M. Velpeau, 
page 277 of this number, which has been extracted from 
the London Chemist, it is stated that the Safran of Mars 
is employed to fix sulphuric acid. It should have been 
stated saffron, which is carbonized and undergoes a change 
in accordance with the statement in the paper. — Editor. 
