MISCELLANY. 

Bromine. — M. Barruel has recently discovered a new method of obtain- 
ing- bromine from a substance hitherto not used for this purpose ; this 
process is so simple and affords so large a product that he can furnish 
several hundred of pounds a month, at a price not exceeding ten dollars 
the pound. Cottereau. Pharmacologic 
Calcined Magnesia. — It is generally believed that calcined magnesia 
absorbs carbonic acid, with some rapidity, from the atmosphere, and hence 
that it should be kept in well closed vessels. M. Cottereau, however, 
states that it may be preserved for years, in bottles merely stopped with 
a cork, without becoming deteriorated in the slightest degree. 
Ibid. 
Lactic Acid. — According to MM. Pelouze and Gay Lussac, this acid 
may be prepared perfectly pure by the following process. Beet roots are 
to be subjected to pressure, and the juice thus obtained suffered to fer- 
ment for two months at a temperature of 75° to 85° F., and then evapo- 
rated to the consistence of a syrup, which will be found filled with 
innumerable crystals of mannite. The whole is to be treated with alco- 
hol, which dissolves the lactic acid ; this solution is to be evaporated to 
dryness, and the residue dissolved in water, and saturated with carbonate 
of zinc, which causes a large precipitate ; the whole is then to be filtered 
and evaporated to obtain the lactate of zinc. This salt is to be dissolved 
in water and purified with animal charcoal and a recrystallization. These 
crystals are to be washed with boiling- alcohol, and then successively 
treated with barytes and sulphuric acid, to separate the lactic acid. This 
is to be concentrated in vacuo, and dissolved in sulphuric ether to get rid 
of any foreign matter, the solution being filtered and evaporated, will 
give the acid in a pure state. Ibid, 
Coneine — In a letter from Dr. Christison to M. Robiquet, he states 
that he treated 40 pounds (avoirdupois) of conium seeds, according to the 
process of Geiger, and obtained three ounces two drachms of a tolerably 
Vol. ii. — no. ii. 22 
