We

Ten samples of extract of liquorice were examined ; four of these dissolved nearly without residue, and were genuine ; the remainder of the samples deposited insoluble residues amounting to 3, 13, 17, 9, 7, 18:5 and 33 per cent. respectively. In four cases they consisted of boiled starchy matter, and in one instance of starchy matter and gelatin.

The sample containing the gelatin furnished only 65:5 per cent. of extract, and the insoluble residue amounted to 17 per cent., thus leaving 18 per cent. for moisture, which large quantity the liquorice was partly enabled to retain, in consequence of its admixture with gelatin.

It is evident from the nature and quantities of the insoluble residues that the adulterated samples of extract of liquorice consisted of the foreign extract melted down.

The compilers of the Pharmacopoeia were doubtless led to prescribe a form for the preparation of a genuine extract of liquorice by the knowledge of the fact of the adulteration of the foreign extract. thus perceive to what an extent the regulations of the Pharmacopoeia are evaded in this case. In further illustration of the extent to which the Pharmacopoeia in this and doubtless in many other articles is disregarded, we may mention that we were only able to procure the Pharmacopoeial extract at about one-third of the chemists' shops at which we enquired for it. In one case, although we particularly requested to be furnished with the true extract, some of the foreign extract was coarsely powdered while we waited, and handed to us as the article we enquired for, and for which we were made to pay twice the usual price.

*In the next and last place, we will proceed to state the results of the examination of numerous samples of powdered liquorice.

Of twenty-eight samples of liquorice in powder subjected to examination, eleven were adulterated. Of these one consisted chiefly of wheat flour, another contained a large quantity of woody fibre, two contained much foreign woody fibre, two woody fibre and turmeric, another woody fibre and wheat flour, one was made up chiefly of Indian corn, potato and sugo flours, and turmeric, another of sago, woody, fibre, and much turmeric, another of East Indian arrowroot and a little turmeric, and another consisted almost entirely of potato flour, a little wheat flour, and turmeric. Some of the samples likewise contained cane sugar.

We stated at the commencenient of this paper we believed it would be found that liquorice afforded an example of a system of adulteration · which extended to other and more important articles of the Materia

Medica. We will now adduce some evidence to show that this is really the case.

It has been ascertained that some wholesale druggists prepare, and they nearly all keep, what are known in the trade as compound powders. One of these is liquorice, the genuine powder being distinguished as Pulvis Glycyrrhiza Verus.

Other compound powders are those of turmeric, gentian, fenugreek, aniseed, cumin, and elecampane.

1 lb.

.

Those of turmeric, gentian, and fenugreek are usually prepared after the following receipts, or some modifications of them :Turmeric Powder.

Gentian Pouder.
Yellow ochre

1 lb.
Gentian

1 lb.
Turmeric

Linseed

1 lb. Wheat flour

2 lbs.

Wheat flour 2 lbs.

Cape aloes
Fenugreek Powder.
Fenugreek, 15. iss.
Turmeric, 3 xii.

Wheat flour, lb. iii. This custom is defended on the plea that no deception is practised, and that these powders are sold as compound articles. This may be so as between the wholesale and retail dealers in drugs, but it assuredly is not the case as between these parties and the medical profession and the public; the liquorice powders, the extensive and varied aduteration of which we have just described, were sold simply as liquorice, and no acknowledgment whatever was made even in a single instance of their compound character.

It is evident that the practice of making and selling these compound powders is most objectionable; it indicates a laxity of principle, both on the part of the wholesale and retail dealers in drugs, and it is clear that the medical profession and the public are by it seriously imposed upon.

It is atlirmed that it is as cattle medicines that these compounds are used. Altbough this is the case to some extent, yet it is very certain that they are not thus exclusively employed ; besides, why should these adulterated powders be thrust down the throats of cattle?

We have now shown that liquorice in all its forms and varieties is subject to an enormous amount of adulteration, and that various substances are employed for that purpose.

Thus it has been shown

That the whole of the foreign extracts or roll liquorices were adulterated, some to the extent of nearly 50 per cent.

That the whole of the pipe liquorices examined were also adulterated, some of them not containing one-third their weight of liquorice.

That the Pontefract lozenges likewise contained but little liquorice.

That of the samples of the extract of liquorice of the Pharmacopoeia, one-half were adulterated ; these for the most part consisting of the foreign extract melted down.

Lastly, that a large proportion of the powdered liquorices examined were adulterated, many of them containing only as much liquorice as was necessary to impart the flavour of the genuine powder.

Of the adulterations discovered in roll liquorice, some are practised by the foreign preparers of the extract, while others are the work of parties nearer home. It is, we believe, not uncommon for the foreign extract to be melted down after its arrival in this country, for the purpose of subjecting it to further adulteration. In some cases the adulterating ingredients, as flour and chalk, are so clumsily mixed with the liquorice, that particles and masses of these substances may be detected by the naked eye alone, and may be picked out with a penknife.

The adulterations of pipe and powdered liquorice described were no doubt effected in this country.

Of the ingredients employed in the adulteration of liquorice, some are themselves liable to adulteration. This is the case with the turmeric used, which we have found to be adulterated to the extent of nearly 20 per cent. with yellow ochre.

THE DETECTION OF THE ADULTERATIONS OF LIQUORICE. Since most of the adulterations of liquorice consist in the addition of vegetable substances of different kinds, the microscope affords the chief means for their discovery.

The characters of wheat flour, turmeric and East Indian arrowroot have already been described and delineated in woodcuts; the appearances presented by liquorice powder adulterated with the two last named substances are also exhibited in fig. 200.

The chief chemical adulterations practised are those with sugar and chalk. The process for the detection and estimation of the last is pointed out under the head of • Tea,' while for the detection of come sugar in liquorice powder we may proceed as follows:

Add about 50 cc. of cold water to 15 grammes of the powder; filter, and evaporate on a water-bath at a gentle heat. If cane sugar be present it will crystallise as the evaporation draws near to an end, and if now a little sulphuric acid be added, the residual mass will immediately become charred. Sulphuric acid does not carbonise liquorice sugar or glycyrrhizin, but fornis with it a chemical compound or sulphate.

Glyeyrrhizin and cane sugar may be thus separated from each other: add excess of basic acetate of lead to a strong filtered infusion of the powder, remove the lead held in solution by means of sulphuretted hydrogen, filter, evaporate on a water-bath, and when dry weigh the residue, which consists of cane sugar.

Or the glycyrrhizin may be removed from the powder or the extract by means of warm ether. The residue, containing the cane sugar, may be converted into glucose by boiling with dilute sulphuric acid, and the glucose estimated by means of the copper test.

CHAPTER XXXVII.

ANNATTO AND ITS ADULTERATIONS.

DEFINITION OF ADULTERATION.

In cake and roll annatto, any foreign vegetable or mineral substance, and in solutions, any foreign vegetable or mineral substance other than the alkali necessary to the solution of the annatto. The next article which falls under our consideration is annatto; this, though not employed as food, is yet added to several articles of consumption, and it therefore becomes of interest to ascertain whether it is subject to adulteration or not.

Annatto is the colouring matter obtained from the seeds of a plant named Bira orellana, L., and which forms the type of the small natural order Bixinee. It is a native of South America, the West and East Indies; but the article annatto is chiefly prepared in Brazil and Cayenne.

The tree is an evergreen, and the seeds are enclosed in pods, the colouring matter being situated on the outside of the seeds.

It appears that two different processes are pursued in order to separate the colouring matter. According to the ordinary process, the seeds, after being removed from the pods, are bruised and transferred to a vat, when they are mixed with as much water as covers them. Here they are left for several weeks or months. The substance thus obtained,' Dr. Ure states, “is now squeezed through sieves, placed above the steeper, that the water containing the colouring matter in suspension may return into the vat.

The residuum is preserved under the leaves of the Annana (pineapple tree) till it becomes hot by fermentation. It is then again subjected to the same operation, and this treatment is continued until no more colour remains.

• The substance thus extracted is passed through sieves, in order to separate the remainder of the seeds; and the colour is allowed to subside. The precipitate is boiled in coppers until it is reduced to a consistent paste. It is then suffered to cool, and is dried in the shade.'

The second process is that recommended by Leblond. He proposes simply to wash the seeds until they are entirely deprived of colour, to precipitate the colouring matter by means of vinegar or lemon