376  VARIETIES. 
Syrup  of  Pepsin  with  Bitter  Orange  Peel  of  M.  Besson. — Take  the 
aqueous  infusion  or  soluble  portion  of  fifty  veal  rennets,  and  evaporate  in 
vacuo  until  the  residual  liquid  weighs  74  troy  ounces.  To  this  add  fof 
lactic  acid  170  grains,  spirit  of  oranges  three  ounces,  hydro-alcoholic  ex- 
tract of  Curagao  (bitter  orange  peel,)  three  ounces  and  a  quarter;  filter 
through  paper,  and  then  dissolve  in  the  liquid  144.  troy  ounces  of  sugar. 
Strain  through  muslin,  and  bottle. 
An  ounce  of  this  syrup  contains  2|  grains  of  acidified  pepsin,  that  is  to 
say.  as  much  as  three  doses  of  fifteen  grains  each  of  the  amylaceous  pep- 
sin of  Boudault  and  Corvisart.  Finally,  it  has  an  advantage  over  the 
powder  of  retaining  during  many  months,  or  even  years,  its  fermentable 
properties. — Jour,  de  Chimie  Medical  et  de  Rep.  de  Pharm. 
On  Vanillin.  By  M.  Stokkeby  (Zeitschr.  Ohem.,  1865,  467).— The  re- 
sults of  this  experimenter  confirm  in  general  those  published  by  M.  Gobley 
(see  page  130,  vol.  xxxi.  of  this  J ournal,)  on  vanillin.  The  principle  which 
gives  the  character  of frost  is  exempt  from  nitrogen,  is  slightly  acid,  but 
does  not  decompose  the  carbonates.  M.  Gobley  called  it  vanillin,  but 
M.  Stokkeby  vanillic  acid. 
The  analytical  results  of  the  latter  differ  from  those  of  the  former, 
whilst  the  properties  are  sufficiently  similar  to  establish  their  probable 
identity. 
According  to  Gobley,  its  formula  is  C20H6  O4,  whilst  that  of  Stokkeby 
is  G31H22O20,  the  analyses  being  made  with  the  substance  dried  at  140°  F. 
According  to  the  latter  author,  vanillin  dissolves  in  an  equal  weight  of 
boiling  alcohol  or  ether,  but  at  59°  F.  one  part  of  vanillin  dissolves  in  65 
parts  of  ether,  sp.  gr.  *730,  and  in  5|  parts  of  alcohol  '823.  It  is  soluble 
in  11  parts  of  boiling  water  and  in  198  parts  at  59°  F.  Sesquichloride  of 
iron  communicates  to  all  its  solutions  a  deep  violet  color.  Its  fusing 
point  appears  fixed  at  180°  F.  Sulphuric  acid  dissolves  it  with  a  green 
color,  which  becomes  red  by  heat.  Nitric  acid  transforms  it  into  oxalic 
acid. 
Vanillin  is  volatilizable  with  the  vapor  of  water.  When  the  distilled 
water  is  shaken  with  ether,  and  the  ether  separated  and  evaporated, 
crystals  of  vanillin  are  obtained. 
The  author  also  investigated  the  other  constituents  of  vanilla.  It  yields 
to  ether  resin,  wax,  fixed  oil  and  a  form  of  tannin,  greening  the  salts 
of  iron.  The  residue  contains  some  vanillin,  gum  and  saccharine  matter, 
phosphates  and  sulphates,  but  neither  albumen  or  starch. — From  Jour, 
de  Pharm. ,  Janv.,  1866. 
Two  new  Alkaloids  in  Aconitum  lycotonum. — M.  Hubschmaun  has  ex- 
tracted two  alkaloids,  which  he  calls  acolytin  and  lycoctonin,  from  this 
plant.  The  first  is  a  white  powder,  insoluble  in  ether,  but  soluble  in 
water  and  alcohol.  The  lycotonin  is  crystallizable,  very  soluble  in  alco- 
hol, and  dissolves  but  little  in  ether  and  water. 
