MISCELLANY. 
175 
Thebaine. — Instantly reddened, becoming darker with time, presenting 
a yellowish reflection when examined in thin layers. 
Narcotine. — First changed to a yellow, but after the lapse of a few mi- 
nutes, (7 to 8) becoming red. 
Codeine. — First becoming of a faint green, then changing to violet 
green. 
Morphia. — Almost immediately assuming a brown red. 
Meconine. — At first no change, but in twenty-four hours becoming of a 
rich rose colour. 
Narceine. — Immediately changing to a mahogany red colour. 
Journ. de Pharm. 
Analysis of Pyrethrum. — M. Koene has found this root to contain 1st, a 
brown, Very acrid substance, of a resinous appearance, insoluble in caustic 
potash 0.59 ; 2d, a fixed oil of dark brown colour, very acrid, soluble in 
potash 1.60 ; 3d, a yellow acrid oil, soluble in potash 0.35 ; 4th, traces of 
tannin ; 5th, gum 9.40 ; 6th, inuline ; 7th, sulphate, hydrochlorate and 
carbonate of potash, phosphate and carbonate of lime, alumine, silex, &c. 
7.60; 8th, woody fibre 19.80— loss 2.60=100. Ibid. 
Rhus radicans. — G. Sella recommends the Rhus radicans as an excel- 
lent dye. For eight parts of wool, take of this plant, previously boiled, 
eight parts, alum one part, cream of tartar one-sixth part, muriatic acid 
solution (muriatic acid four parts, pure tin one part) 1 part. Boil for 
three-quarters of an hour; a fine yellow is produced. If the dried plant 
be used, a pale yellow or hazel colour is obtained. These colours resist 
soap and the sun as well as the other yellow colours. It becomes more 
stable if allowed to remain for twelve hours in the vat. 
Arcana. Science. 
New method of drying Plants. — Dr. Hunfeld has announced a new me- 
thod of drying plants, by covering them first with powder of lycopodium, 
and then placing them in a vessel containing chloride of calcium. By this 
method the colour and flexibility are retained. On the 29th July, 1831, 
Dr. Goppert of Breslaw, placed in a 24 ounce glass, two leaves of the 
hyacinth, and a specimen of the Fumaria officinalis, with two ounces of 
chloride of calcium, in such a manner that the plants were not in contact 
with the salt ; on the following day the leaves began to dry, and on the 
3d of August, although not dead, the hyacinth leaves could be reduced to 
powder. Even succulent plants, as the Sedum rupestre, are so much dried 
in a week that they may be powdered. The use of the lycopodium is to 
prevent the sap from escaping. Ibid. 
