PHARMACEUTICAL  GLEANINGS. 
107 
filtered  from  the  sulphate  of  lime  is  fermented  and  distilled  in 
the  usual  manner.  The  author  hopes  to  be  able  to  diminish  the 
proportion  of  acid,  and  thus  render  the  process  more  economical. 
French  enterprise  in  Algeria. — In  the  correspondence  above 
quoted,  there  is  an  interesting  account  of  the  products  raised  in 
Algeria  under  French  encouragement.  In  1853,  nearly  30,000 
lbs.  of  silk  cocoons  were  produced  in  one  department,  and  the 
plantations  of  the  mulberry  are  extending.  Madder  is  being 
raised  profitably.  The  cochineal  culture  appears  to  be  no  longer 
doubtful,  as  29  cactus  plantations  are  in  operation.  The  best 
varieties  of  cotton  are  being  cultivated  with  great  success,  the 
cotton  of  Algiers  having  received  11  prizes  at  the  London  Exhi- 
bition. The  olive  tree  in  Algeria  attains  the  height  of  a  forest 
tree,  and  in  the  district  of  Kabylia  it  is  very  abundant.  Since 
1852,  the  oil  trade  has  greatly  increased,  owing  to  the  pains  that 
have  been  taken  to  introduce  the  art  of  grafting  among  the 
natives,  and  in  the  establishment  of  well  managed  oil  factories 
among  the  mountains.  The  product  of  oil  exported  in  1853, 
amounted  to  about  six  millions  of  pounds.  The  course  pursued  by 
the  French  government  in  fostering  the  productions  of  this  colony, 
must  eventually  render  it  of  great  value,  however  costly  at 
present. 
Effects  of  pressure  on  the  fusing  point. — Mr.  Hopkins,  (Proc. 
Brit.  Assoc.)  has  been  making  some  experiments  on  the  fusing 
points  of  several  substances  under  great  pressure,  which  has  af- 
forded with  four  of  them,  the  following  results  exhibited  in  tabu- 
lar form  in  Silliman's  Journal. 
Substances.         Pressure  in  lbs.  to  square  inch.  Temperature  (Fahr.)  of  fusion. 
Spermaceti,  I  0  7790  11,880  124°  140°  176.5 
Wax,  0  7790  11,880  148.5  166.5  176.5 
Sulphur,  0  7790  11,880  225  275.5  285 
Sterine,  (  0  7790  11,880  158  155  165 
As  it  was  impossible  to  use  glass  for  the  containing  vessel  so 
as  to  witness  the  process,  a  very  ingenious  contrivance  was  re- 
sorted to  determine  when  fusion  occurred.  A  ball  of  iron  was 
placed  on  the  top  of  the  substance  under  pressure,  which  deflected 
a  small  magnetic  needle  above  it  outside,  but  as  soon  as  the'sub- 
stance  melted,  the  ball  fell,  and  the  needle  returned  to  its  proper 
position. 
