158       ON  THE  MEDICINAL  PREPARATIONS  OF  GLYCERIN. 
the  form  of  a  chandelier,  attract  the  attention  of  the  traveller  at 
a  distance."  "  It  grows  abundantly  in  Carabaya,  at  the  same 
height  as  Cinchona  Calisaya,'1  and  presents  so  deceptive  a  simi- 
larity to  that  valuable  tree  in  the  general  appearance  of  its  bark, 
that  a  considerable  quantity  mixed  with  Calisaya,  recently  passed 
in  the  London  market  as  Calisaya  Quill  of  a  superior  quality, 
and  obtained  a  corresponding  price. 
The  bark  of  G-omphosia  chlorantha  does  not  contain  a  particle 
of  any  alkaloid,  but  yields  a  notable  quantity  of  essential  oil 
possessing  the  peculiar  fragrance  of  the  bark  in  a  concentrated 
form. 
I  first  identified  this  bark  with  a  specimen  which  I  had  received 
from  Dr.  Weddell,  and  which  he  had  collected  himself.  I  also 
transmitted  to  this  distinguished  naturalist  a  portion  of  the  bark 
recently  imported,  which  he  recognized  as  corresponding  with  his 
own  specimens.  Its  most  distinctive  peculiarity  is  shown  by  the 
microscope,  a  transverse  section  disclosing  a  peculiar  fasciculate 
disposition  of  the  cortical  fibres,  and  some  vessels  gorged  with  a 
ruby-colored  juice.  The  tree,  though  botanically  very  nearly 
allied  to  the  Cinchonas,  thus  differs  wholly  in  its  properties  from 
that  genus,  and  is  calculated  to  deceive  by  its  resemblance  to  a 
more  valuable  product  of  the  forests  of  New  Granada  and  of 
Peru  Lond.  Pharm.  Jour.  Jan.  1855. 
ON  THE  MEDICINAL  PREPARATIONS  OF  GLYCERIN. 
By  Cap  and  Garot.* 
The  authors  have  made  many  experiments  about  the  solubility 
of  certain  medicinal  substances  in  glycerin,  from  which  they 
derive  great  confidence  regarding  the  value  of  such  solutions  in 
external  applications.  They  even  believe  it  to  be  a  good  vehicle 
for  some  preparations  intended  for  internal  use,  provided,  how- 
ever, that  the  harmlessness  of  glycerin  be  demonstrated,  if  taken 
internally.  The  advantages  of  using  glycerin  as  a  solvent  and 
excipient  are  manifold.  Its  solvent  power  very  often  equals  that 
of  water  or  alcohol,  and  even  is  sometimes  greater ;  it  can  be 
mixed  with  alcoholic  and  aqueous  solutions,  it  is  not  subject  to 
*  Translated  and  abridged  from  the  Journal  de  Pharmacie,  for  August, 
1854;  by  J.  M.  Maisch. 
