Mr. W. J. M. Gordon read a report on this query, and showed samples of various preparations made with glycerin, instead of sugar, where sugar is ordered by the Pharmacopoeia. This elicited considerable discussion, in which surprise was exhibited at the low price at which glycerin is produced, and the quality and mode of manufacture was alluded to. On motion, the paper was referred to the Executive Committee for publication.

QUERY 15th. It has been stated that the poisonous properties of Rhus toxicodendron reside in a volatile alkaloid. Is this true? Is this alkaloid dissipated when the leaves are dried? Can it be isolated in a state fit for medical use, or can the properties of the leaves be preserved in some form as a pharmaceutical preparation?

Mr. Maisch, by whom this was accepted, asked to have it continued, which was granted.

QUERY 16th. The leaves of Solidago odora possess the odor of anise. Are their medicinal properties due to a volatile oil, identical in composition with the oil of anise?

A letter was read by Mr. Taylor from Mr. Heinitsch, of Lancaster, Pa., giving a partial answer to the two queries which he accepted, viz. Nos. 16 and 18.

QUERY 17th. The oil of Erigeron Canadense is frequently employed in medicine for uterine hæmorrhage. Is its reputation deserved? Where is it chiefly produced? In what proportion does the herb yield oil? and what are its physical and chemical properties?

No answer was received, Dr. R. P. Thomas, to whom it had been referred, being dead.

QUERY 18th. The taste of Dittany (Cunila Mariana) is very like that of horse mint (Monarda punctata). Does the volatile oil of the former resemble that of the latter in physical and chemical properties?

See answer to No. 16.

QUERY 19th.-Spatulas, stirring-rods, agitators and mechanical stirrers used in pharmaceutical preparations; their material and quality, form and construction, with critical remarks.

Mr. T. S. Wiegand, of Philadelphia, presented a report through

Prof. Procter, which, after having been read, was, on motion, referred to the Executive Committee for publication.

Some pharmaceutical preparations were exhibited by W. J. M. Gordon & Brother, and called forth much commendation from the members.

On motion adjourned until 7 o'clock.

Thursday Evening-Fourth Session.

At eight o'clock the President called the meeting to order. The minutes of the last session having been read were, on motion, adopted.

A letter was received from Mr. Larz. Anderson offering to conduct the members of the Association through the extensive wine cellars of the late Mr. Longworth should they desire to visit them. On motion the letter was accepted.

The business of deciding upon a place of meeting for the Association next year being in order,

Mr. A. E. Ebert suggested Cincinnati.

Dr. Squibb moved that the Association meet next year in Boston. The motion was amended and the amendment accepted, to meet on the first Tuesday in September next, at 3 o'clock, P. M. The motion was then unanimously adopted.

Dr. Squibb read the following proposition of the retired President That the Executive Committee be directed to withhold the volume of proceedings from all members who may be three years in arrears in their payments to the Treasurer.

A discussion of the above proposition was maintained by Messrs. Squibb, Bedford, Moore, Parrish and Markoe. Dr. Squibb read from Art. II., Section IV., of the Constitution, "that a member is liable to lose his right of membership by neglecting to pay said contribution for three successive years."

Mr. Moore offered as an amendment, "Notification being first given," which was accepted.

The resolution, as amended, was after much debate finally carried.

The Business Committee offered the following resolution :

Resolved, That a Committee of two be appointed to examine the books of the Treasurer in regard to all arrearages, and to report to the next annual meeting the number and names of members who may be in arrears, the condition under which these arrearages may have occurred, and suggestions for the disposal of delinquent memberships. Adopted.

Messrs. Moore and Baxley (the Treasurer) were appointed said Committee.

The Business Committee offered the following resolution :Resolved, That members who may have received the volume of Proceedings and are in arrears with their annual dues to the Treasurer, and who may return his bills unpaid, or offer to resign with such arrearages unpaid, shall be expelled from the Association, and their dismissal or expulsion be published in the volume of Proceedings after the roll of members.

Mr. Parrish objected to publishing names of expelled members. On motion the resolution was adopted.

The subject of Life Membership being introduced, it was proposed to charge $1 a year after ten years' membership. Mr. Taylor suggested that Life Members should not be annually assessed, but that they be charged for the Proceedings. Dr. Squibb suggested that the matter remain as it now is, allowing Life Members all their privileges, but should funds be wanted, to raise the deficiency in some other way. On motion, the whole subject of Life Membership was laid on the table.

It having been recommended by the Executive Committee that the Committee on the Drug Market, on Scientific Queries and the Business Committee, be made Standing Committees, on motion, the Business Committee were instructed to draw up an amendment to the Constitution making the above named Committees Standing Committees.

In accordance with the recommendations of the Executive Committee, the following resolutions were adopted:

Resolved, That the Executive Committee be directed to value and insure all the property of the Association and present the bills for insurance annually to the Treasurer for payment.

Resolved, That the Executive Committee be authorized to take such steps as the Chairman may deem best, to have all

copies of the Proceedings, which may remain undistributed and unsold, returned to him by the next succeeding annual meeting, and present the bills of expenses incurred in effecting this to the Treasurer for payment.

A motion to increase the dues of Members was rejected.

A motion that prizes be given by the Association, as suggested by the Executive Committee, was rejected.

Mr. Parrish gave notice that to-morrow morning he would offer a resolution abolishing the power of the Executive Committee to elect members during the interim, as provided by the Constitution, Art II., Section 2.

Mr. Parrish spoke to the effect that the suggestions of the Committee on Membership, as applied to the acquirements and election of candidates, be adopted. Mr. Haviland opposed it. Much discussion was had on this subject, but the suggestions were finally rejected.

The Committee on Membership recommended a new form of Certificate of Membership. On motion a Committee of three were appointed to get up a new certificate. The chair appointed. Messrs. A. B. Taylor, J. T. Shinn and Evan T. Ellis said Committee.

The Committee on Scientific Queries presented a report, action on which was deferred for the present.

There being now no especial business before the meeting, the answers to queries, proposed at the last meeting, were called for, and the reading of the essays was proceeded with.

QUERY 20th.-What are the best vessels in which to dispense ointments and cerates, combining fitness with elegance and accuracy? and what is the best plan for keeping this class of preparations in the dispensing shop, so as to retard their tendency to oxidation?

Mr. Thompson, of Baltimore, explained by letter why he had not answered this query. On motion it was continued to him.

QUERY 21st.-Maruta cotula and Leucanthemum vulgare are extensively introduced into the United States; can their flowers, as has been repeatedly asserted, be made available for destroying insects, and may they be regarded as a substitute for the so

called "Persian Insect Powder," which is derived from the nearly allied genus Pyrethrum?

It was partially answered by Mr. G. F. H. Markoe, who exhibited some dried specimens of Pyrethrum roseum. Mr. Markoe asked to have the same subject continued to him another year, which was granted.

QUERY 22d.-Pumpkin seeds have acquired some reputation as a remedy in tænia. Does their curative power reside solely in a fixed oil?-if so, what is the best process of extracting it, and of dispensing it for internal use?

Mr. C. A. Tufts, of Dover, N. H., who accepted this query, informed the Association that he had had no opportunity of trying any experiments, and asked to have the subject continued, which was granted.

QUERY 23d.—An essay on gas-heating apparatus adapted to the various purposes of the apothecary, so as to enable him to conduct his processes in or near the shop; which shall combine efficiency with economy; illustrated by figures or specimens.

Mr. Bedford, of New York, asked to have this subject continued to him, as he had been unable to finish his investigations in time for this meeting. The request was granted.

QRERY 24th.-Valerianate of Ammonia. The crystalline salt made by the process of B. J. Crew is apt to have adhering valerianic acid, which renders it disagreeably odorous and moist. What is the best means of obtaining a dry, neutral salt?

No answer was received from Mr. Bullock, to whom it was referred, in reply to this question, but he explained through Mr. Bedford why he had not answered it. This query was dropped.

QUERY 25th. What is the best formula for Elixir of Valerianate of Ammonia, which shall be nearly free from valerianic odor and elegantly aromatized?

Not being answered, the subject was continued to Mr. J. Roberts, of Baltimore, by whom it was accepted at the last meeting.

QUERY 26th.-Is there a reliable test for the active resin from Cannabis sativa of the East Indies, whereby the genuineness of Extract of Indian Hemp may be satisfactorily and easily ascertained by the pharmaceutist?