514 
GLEANINGS  FROM  GERMAN  JOURNALS. 
GLEANINGS  FROM  GERMAN  JOURNALS. 
By  J.  M.  Maisch. 
Sunstroke. — The  Fremdenhlatt  contsims  a  correspondence  from 
a  traveller  who,  on  March  23,  1866,  was  near  the  Dead  Sea 
with  a  party  of  eighteen,  one  of  whom  fell  from  his  horse  over- 
come by  the  excessive  heat  of  42°  R.  (126-5°  F.)  One  of  the 
Bedouin  guides  bathed  his  hands,  head  and  face  with  lemon 
juice,  after  which  the  sufferer  was  able  to  ride  two  hours  to  the 
banks  of  the  Jordan,  where  he  could  rest  for  several  hours,  and 
then  completely  recovered. — Ph.  Oentr.  Ilalle,  18T0,  299. 
Resin  of  Tampico  Jalap.  * — Prof.  H.  Spirgatis  found  it  to 
have  properties  similar  to  convolvulin,  the  resin  of  true  jalap, 
except  that  it  is  readily  soluble  in  ether.  This  tampicin,  Cg^Hg^O^^t 
under  the  influence  of  caustic  alkalies  is  converted  into  tampieic 
acid,  Cg^HgoO^^t-  Dilute  mineral  acids  convert  it  into  sugar  and 
tampicolic  acid  Q^^^.fi^'\.  Tampicin  fuses  at  about  130°  C; 
but  even  at  100°  C  (212°  F.)  it  is  decomposed,  assuming  a  yel- 
low and  finally  brown  color.  It  acts  similar  to  convolvulin,  but 
rather  uncertain.  Moreover,  the  small  amount  of  resin  contained 
in  the  tubers,  and  the  large  amount  of  alcohol  requisite  for  its 
extraction,  render  it  higher  in  price  than  convolvulin. — Buchney^'s 
N.  Bepert.,  1870,  452—459. 
Prize  query. — It  is  very  probable  that  the  albuminous  bodies 
of  the  animal  organism,  the  so-called  protein  compounds,  are  to 
be  regarded  merely  as  modifications  of  the  albuminous  compounds 
generated  in  the  vegetable  organism.  The  faculty  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  Munich  desires  a  compilation  of  the  methods  of  prepa- 
ration and  of  the  properties  of  the  animal  and  vegetable  protein 
compounds  (albumen,  casein,  fibrin,)  and  a  critical  sifting  and 
extension  of  our  present  knowledge,  based  upon  new  researches. 
Essays  to  be  handed  in  on  or  before  April  30,  1871. — Buch- 
ners  N.  Rep.,  1871,  No.  8. 
*  Daniel  Hanbury  refers  the  origin  of  Tampico  Jalap  to  a  new  species, 
which  he  names  Ipomoea  simulans.    Journ.  Linn,  Sac.  vol  ix. 
t  C=12;  0=16. 
