494 
PROCEEDINGS  OF  THE 
prepared  a  report,  he  proceeded  to  state  that  American  castor  is 
largely  exported  from  Michigan,  being  collected  by  the  attache's 
of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company,  hunting  in  their  dominions  north 
of  Lake  Superior,  and  by  the  Indian  trappers  of  Michigan,  who, 
after  first  drying  the  sacks  when  collected,  in  the  usual  way,  by 
hanging  them  in  the  smoke  of  the  open  fires  of  their  wigwams, 
dispose  of  them  to  the  agents  of  fur  dealers,  who  penetrate  the 
hunting  grounds.  Thus  they  find  their  way  to  our  market  and 
to  Europe.  The  great  demand  for  furs  for  the  past  few  years, 
has  necessarily  so  glutted  the  market  with  this  drug  that  its  price 
has  reached  the  lowest  point  ever  known. 
26.  The  subject  of  the  professional  intercourse  between  physicians  and 
pharmaceutists. 
Samuel  M.  Colcord,  of  Boston,  read  an  essay  on  this  subject, 
in  which  he  endeavored  to  show  that  some  features  of  this  inter, 
course  needed  amendment.  The  paper  occasioned  some  discus- 
sion, but  was  referred  for  publication  as  read. 
27.  The  subject  of  Saccharides,  or  sugar  impregnated  with  medicinal  sub- 
stances, so  as  to  facilitate  their  administration,  &c,  was  answered  by  Eu- 
gene Dupuy,  of  New  York,  whose  paper  was  referred  for  publication. 
28.  The  subject  of  Cod  liver  oil,  referred  to  R.  R.  Kent,  of  Boston,  not 
having  been  reported  on,  was  dropped  from  the  list. 
29.  What  are  the  impediments  to  the  culture  of  the  liquorice  plant  (Grly- 
cyrrhiza  glabra)  in  this  country  ;  and  what  essays  have  been  made  towards 
its  introduction  ? 
Thomas  P.  James,  of  Philadelphia,  replied  to  the  queries  in  a 
short  paper,  which  was  directed  to  be  published. 
30.  The  questions  relative  to  the  deterioration  of  medicines,  etc.,  were 
continued  to  Edward  Parrish,  of  Philadelphia,  he  not  having  had  time  to 
accomplish  the  results,  owing  to  absence  in  Europe. 
31.  Are  our  native  wines  applicable  for  use  in  pharmacy  as  a  menstruum ; 
are  these  wines  the  subject  of  adulteration ;  and  can  the  brandy  derived 
from  native  wine  growers  be  properly  substituted  for  the  Spiritus  Vini 
Gallici  of  the  Pharmacopoeia  ? 
The  subject  was  investigated  by  Frederick  Stearns  of  Detroit, 
who  read  his  report  and  illustrated  it  with  numerous  specimens 
of  wine  and  brandy.    The  paper  was  referred  for  publication. 
A  volunteer  paper  « On  the  influence  which  Manufacturing 
Pharmacy  has  had  and  is  having  on  the  Pharmacy  and  Pharma- 
/ 
