218 
Editonal. 
{Am.  Jon  r.  Pharro.- 
.  April,  1883. 
a  second  and  third  examination  of  sucli  sections  is  to  be  made  by  those  re- 
cognizing tlie  largest  number  of  the  first  set. 
At  the  recent  examination  the  competitors  were  nine  in  number,  and  on 
this,  the  first  occasion,  it  was  deemed  advisable  to  prepare  several  sections 
of  drugs  in  such  a  manner  that  the  microscope  was  not  absolutely  necessary 
for  their  identification,  wliile  the  largest  number  consisted  of  sections  espe- 
cially prepared  for  the  microscope,  the  cell-contents  being  removed  so  that 
only  the  structure  was  visible.  The  sections  selected  were  of  the  first-class 
calumba,  cocculus  indicus,  nux  vomica  and  pumpkin  seed,  and  of  the- 
second  class,  sarsaparilla,  taraxacum,  veratrum,  flat  Calisaya  bark,  clove 
and  conium  fruit.  One  of  the  competitors  determined  9,  one  8,  two  7,  one 
6,  three  5,  and  one  3  of  the  specimens,  the  two  highest  being  the  same  stu- 
dents, who  without  considering  this  special  examination,  were  awarded  the 
Procter  prize.  One  of  the  specimens  was  not  identified,  a  result  which  is 
easily  understood  by  those  who  are  familiar  with  the  microscopic  appear- 
ance of  the  transverse  and  longitudinal  sections  of  the  calyx  tube  of  cary- 
ophyllus,  resembling,  as  they  do,  a  number  of  rhizomes  and  roots  contain- 
ing oil  cells  in  the  bark.  The  results  of  this  examination  were,  therefore, 
highly  satisfactory,  the  more  so  as  only  a  very  small  proportion  of  these 
students  had  previously  received  instructions  in  the  use  of  the  microscope.. 
That  the  microscope  is  not  as  frequently  used  in  pharmacy  as  it  deserves- 
to  be,  is  due  to  a  variety  of  causes,  prominent  among  which  is  the  want  of 
opportunity  and  for  instruction  in  the  application  of  that  instrument  for 
the  needs  of  the  pharmacist.  The  Alumni  Association  of  the  Philadelphia 
College  of  Pharmacy  has,  during  the  past  winter,  endeavored  to  supply  this- 
want  by  organizing  a  class  under  the  direction  of  A.  P.  Brown,  Ph.G.,  who* 
is  an  experienced  microscopist.  Although  only  a  limited  number  of  stu- 
dents embraced  the  advantages  thus  offered,  yet  the  zeal  shown  was  so 
encouraging  that  a  spring  class  will  be  formed  early  in  April,  when  instruc- 
tions will  be  given  in  the  various  microscopical  manipulations,  in  drawing 
with  the  camera  lucida,  in  urinary  analysis,  in  section  cutting,  double 
staining,  mounting,  finishing  of  slides,  photomicrography,  detection  of 
adulterations,  etc.  A  number  of  Zentmayer's  microscopes  have  been 
procured  for  the  purpose,  and  all  necessary  arrangements  have  been  made 
to  make  the  instruction  as  [)ractical  as  possible. 
On  this  subject,  concerning  the  use  of  the  microscope  in  the  examination^ 
of  drugs,  we  have  received  a  communication  from  Mr.  H.  M.  Wilder,  which 
we  publish  in  full. 
"Professor  P.  D.  Penhallow  (Cambridge)  has  written  a  small  guide  for 
the  use  of  beginners  in  vegetable  histology,  consisting  of  a  series  of  tables 
giving  the  action  of  reagents  upon  cell-contents,  cellulose  forms,  and  plant 
products,  and  preceded  by  short  paragraphs  upon  the  special  uses  of  the 
different  reagents  and  the  behavior  of  vegetable  products.  This  book,  or 
rather  pamphlet  of  forty  pages,  has  been  published  in  first-class  style,  by 
S.  E.  Cassino,  Boston,  (printed  on  heavy  paper,  9 J  inches  by  6  inches,  with 
a  very  generous  margin  (IJ  inches  and  2  inches),  has  nine  blank  leaves, 
and  is  exceedingly  well  bound;  in  view  of  the  "getting  up"  the  price  of 
one  dollar  is  not  too  much.  This  is,  however,  only  a  rudimentary  guide,, 
suitable  for  beginners,  the  most  complete  work  on  the  subject  is  "  Botanisk 
Mikrokemi,"  by  V.  A.  Pouisen,  Copenhagen  1880, 8 vo.  (Danish),  which  has 
since  been  translated  into  (German,  and,  as  I  see  from  late  French  journals^ 
