NOTE.-In column A, the strength of each manure, supposed to be in the dry state, is compared with that of dried dung represented by 100.
In column B, the strength of each manure in the ordinary humid state is compared with the strength of hamid dung represented by 100.

It is evident that the farm-yard dung differs especially from the dung of inns, in the proportion of dry matter; the first contains 0.2, and the second
represents 04. These data may serve for calculating the limit of the benefit proposed to be derived from drying dung, in order to reduce the
expense of conveyance.

STARCH.

A SAMPLE of the rice starch, manufactured by Orlando Jones and Co., has been suomitted to us for examination, and we feel much pleasure in bearing testimony to its purity and superiority.

It is well known that this article is prepared by the action of an alkali on rice, which removes the impurities and leaves the fecula pure.

Our opinion of its superiority is based on the operation to which it is submitted, a minute portion of the alkali remaining, preventing the action of the acid-which is in

by for some time, as from season to season, on the fabric of which they are composed. The fact that, when cotton goods are laid aside starched, they are frequently found to be very rotten, is well known to every laundress, as well as to every housewife; a portion of acetic acid being formed as we have frequently proved.

The numerous testimonials from practical persons is quite sufficient to prove the worth of the article, and render lengthened remarks from us superfluous; it has one recommendation as the purest fecula that ever came under our notice.

ON OINTMENTS AND WAX.

BY M. DESCHAMPS.

In undertaking a work on ointments, it was not my intention to ascertain whether all the preparations which bear this name are well designated, whether the motive which caused the name of ointment to be given to all these preparations is due to the possibility of replacing the fatty bodies by one another, to their similarity of action, to custom, or to the difficulty of finding names by which to characterise them; but I desired to ascertain if all the fatty bodies could be replaced-if one of them should be preferred for a certain preparation—if some ointments which are only magistral, might not become officinal, and if the eremacausis of the fatty matter could be prevented or delayed.

Being struck with the little alterability of unguentam populeum, I thought that preservation was due only to the resinous matter which the fat may extract from the buds of the poplar, I thought that the part of the beuzoïn which is soluble in fat, might also prevent its alteration, and to produce an agreeably aromatised fat, and I prepare these fats in the following manner :

After having ascertained that these fats which I have called benziuated and populinated fats, did not present, after several years, any alteration in odor, I sought for reagents capable of showing whether this preservation was real, and of pointing out whether there was any difference between these fats and the ordinary fatty bodies. I knew that red oxide of mercury was altered by the ordinary fatty bodies, and the facility with which the fatty bodies are acidified when they are mixed with acetate or subacetate of lead. I ascertained that iodide of potassium might be used for promptly detecting the rancidity or acidity of fatty bodies, and I was able to conclude, by means of experiments which it would be useless to describe, sinec the results are presented by the formulæ which

propose, that the least alterable fatty bodies are the benzinated and populinated fats, and that the next in order is carefully melted butter; that populinated fat, on account of the coloring matter which it removes from the buds, becomes of an orange color from the action of the alkaline substances, or or of those which act in the same manner; that this alteration is confined to the coloring matter, since the subacetate of lead, after a very long time, only colors it without changing its normal odor.

The following are some of the formulæ :

OINTMENT OF IODIDE OF POTASSIUM.

In order to have a roset ointment capable of being preserved for a very long time, it is sufficient to add, in preparing it, 60 grammes of poplar buds to 1 kilogramme of lard.

DOUBLE MERCURIAL OINTMENT.

This ointment, prepared with populinated fat, was not rancid eleven months after its preparation.

Lip-salve is prepared in almost all laboratories, by employing wax, oil of almonds, and sometimes a small quantity of spermaceti. The following preparation gives a good ointment which does not turn rancid, and which does not produce a disagreeable impression, owing to the granulation of the salve, which granulation is formed in a well made ointment, by a sudden variation of temperature:

B Populinated fat
Newly melted or populinated

grammes. 120.00

suet.... 40.00 Alkanet. 8.00 Place the whole in a tinned saucepan, heat gently, strain through a cloth, and perfume with volatile oil of roses 12 drops; mix and cool quickly, stirring occasionally. From the foregoing facts it results:

That ointment of iodide of potassium can be prepared only with the benzinated and populinated fats, and butter:

That those of Lyon and Regent should be made with benzinated fat :

That a small quantity of poplar buds, added to its constituent principles of Roset ointment, suffices for preserving it.

That double mercurial ointment, prepared with populinated fat, may be preserved for a year without becoming rancid.

That benzinated and populinated fats are preferable to all fats.

That benzinated fat, on account of its whiteness, should be preferred when ointments should be white, or when there enters into their composition a body which may act as an alkali.

That populinated fat resist oxidation better than other fatty bodies.

(The conclusion of this article unavoidably postponed until our next.)

ON DISPENSING, AND SOME MAL-
PRACTICES CONNECTED THERE-
WITH.

To the Editors of The Chemist.
GENTLEMEN,-

ANXIOUS to see the high character of the really respectable chemist and druggist maintained, and deprecating the modern combination of the surgeon, apothecary, cupper, dentist, chemist, druggist, &c., &c., all in one, to eke out a living-derogating, as it does, from the dignity and high-toned professional character which distinguish the the truly respectable, I cannot but regret the deviations from the formula of the London Pharmacopoeia practised by some houses of business-such deviation causing great dissatisfaction, and even suspicion, in the mind of the patient. The slightest difference in the color of a mixture is quite sufficient to produce such an effect; now, we are all aware that, in the article of the oxymel scillæ, if the acetum scillæ be made with the brown instead of the distilled vinegar, a very different colored oxymel will be produced; and yet some druggists state that they prepare it as formerly, although the pharmacopæia directs the acetum distillatum to be used.

Again, as regards some of the tinctures and colored syrups, the difference is often very great, arising from the omission of part of the saffron or cochineal ordered. There certainly ought to be some power to compel all parties to adhere strictly to the Pharmacopoeia.

I am aware it is the custom with many