500 
PROCEEDINGS   OF  THE 
does  not  exist  naturally,  but  is  developed  by  a  fermenting  or  sweating 
process.  It  is  also  known  that  this  odorous  principle  is  not  volatile  by 
distillation  with  water  like  the  volatile  oils.  Question. — What  is  the  true 
source  of  the  odor  of  Vanilla,  and  has  it  any  analogy  to  coumarin,  the 
odorous  principle  of  tonqua  beans? 
Accepted  by  S.  S.  Garrigues,  of  Philadelphia. 
27.  What  is  the  cause  of  the  strong  purgative  power  of  the  marc  of 
Castor  beans  left  after  the  expression  of  the  fixed  oil. 
Accepted  by  Richard  H.  Stabler,  M.  D.,  of  Alexandria. 
28.  Is  the  activity  of  the  bark  of  Cornus  Florida  due  to  a  crystalline 
substance  ?  Is  the  active  principle  alkaline,  acid  or  neutral  ?  Will  it 
answer  as  a  substitute  for  quinia?  and  can  it  be  advantageously  manufac- 
tured at  a  low  price  ? 
Continued  to  John  M.  Maisch,  of  Philadelphia. 
29.  An  investigation  of  the  relative  therapeutic  value  of  imported  and 
indigenous  medicinal  plants. 
Accepted  by  Henry  A.  Tilden,  of  New  Lebanon,  N.  1. 
30.  Can  the  culture  of  Arnica  flowers  be  profitably  introduced  into 
the  United  States  ? 
Accepted  by  Henry  A.  Tilden,  of  New  Lebanon,  N.  Y. 
31.  Pepsin,  a  normal  constituent  of  the  juices  of -the  digestive  organs 
of  the  mammalia,  has  come  into  general  use  as  a  remedial  agent  in  certain 
forms  of  disease.  Question. — What  is  the  best  process  for  obtaining  it, 
from  what  animals  should  it  be  taken,  and  what  is  the  most  eligible  phar- 
maceutical form  for  its  administration  ? 
Accepted  by  Alexander  Cushman,  of  New  York  City. 
32.  The  subject  of  improved  formulae  for  the  Fluid  Extracts,  in  refer- 
ence to  their  more  general  adoption  in  the  next  Pharmacopoeia. 
Accepted  by  William  Procter,  Jr.}  of  Philada. 
33.  What  is  the  extent  of  the  culture  of,  and  production  of  sugar  from, 
the  Sorghum  saccharatum  within  the  United  States  ab  present ;  what  in- 
ference may  be  drawn  therefrom  of  its  value  as  a  source  of  this  important 
article  ;  and  what  is  the  composition  and  saccharine  percentage  of  the  juice 
compared  with  that  of  sugar  cane  ? 
Continued  to  Robert  Baitey,  M.  D.,  of  Rome,  Georgia. 
34.  What  is  the  actual  state  of  the  production  of  volatile  oils  in  the 
United  States,  and  more  especially  in  Ohio,  New  York  and  New  Jersey,  as 
regards  quantity,  quality  and  locality,  together  with  remarks  on  the  trade 
in  volatile  oils  generally? 
Referred  to  Lewis  T.  Lazell  of  New  York  City. 
35.  The  culture  of  the  grape  has  greatly  increased  in  Missouri  within 
the  past  few  years.    Question. — What  varieties  of  grape  are  cultivated  ; 
