TO CORRESPONDENTS.

MR. COLEMAN is informed, that the Second Edition of Professor Faraday's work on Chemical Manipulation is just published, by Mr. Murray, Albe. marle-street.

"A MEMBER on a trip is informed, that the work to which he alludes is not ready for the press. The author has promised to give us due notice of its publication.

"AN ASSOCIATE. Leamington."-There is no work published for the purpose of explaining French medical phrases to Englishmen.

"AN ASSOCIATE. Taunton."-We recommend Brande's Manual of Chemistry, or Dr. Turner's Elements. They are both voluminous, and embrace the whole subject. There are several small works, but they are of necessity incomplete; and having been published a considerable time, do not contain the most recent discoveries in the science.

H. TAYLOR.-De Vallenger's Solution of Arsenic is prepared at Apotbecaries Hall. The formula is a secret. It is sent out labelled "Solution Solvent Mineral." We are not aware whether this is intended for Latin or English-nor have we been able to obtain any information concerning the use of the medicine.

C. G. suggests that specimens of medicinal plants in season should be exhibited in the fresh state at the house of the Society, for the benefit of Members and Associates, who seldom see these articles except prepared.As the Museum progresses we hope this will be adopted. The Pupils in the Botanical Class have an opportunity of seeing many of these plants at the Lectures.

T. C.-We believe that rectified spirits of wine is only sold retail, in a state of purity, by Chemists.

B. A.-Sulphate of Soda of commerce is generally contaminated with ammonia, which is liberated on mixing it with a caustic or carbonated fixed alkali. The smell of ammonia is of course a proof of the impurity of the salt.

F. F. has forgotten the water of crystallization.

"AN ASSOCIATE. London, July 7," is referred to No. XI., page 610, line 26.

R. N. A. P. S. is referred to No. XII., page 649, line 38.

Another "ASSOCIATE. London, June 25," is reminded of the necessity of Chemical Knowledge in a brewer.

Another "AssOCIATE" is referred to No. 11, page 610, line 55. We have no reason to alter the opinion there expressed.

The Council have decided that Chemists in business on their own account, cannot be admitted as Associates.

In consequence of the necessity of completing each number of this journal several days before the close of the month, in order to give time for dispatching the country parcels, communications containing enquiries should be sent on or before the 20th, otherwise we cannot ensure the appearance of the replies in the ensuing number.

Advertisements to be addressed to Mr. CHURCHILL, Princes Street, Soho.

Other Communications to THE EDITOR, 338, Oxford Street.

PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL.

VOL. II.-No. III.-SEPTEMBER 1st, 1842.

THE SCHOOL OF PHARMACY.

THE existence of a school devoted exclusively to the study of those branches of knowledge which are comprised in the systematic education of the Pharmaceutical Chemist, being a novelty in this country, we proceed to make a few remarks on the course of instruction which is to be adopted, and to point out in what respects it differs from that of the Medical Schools.

The School of Pharmacy opened with a short Course of Lectures on Botany, on account of the facility of obtaining specimens of plants during the summer season, and also as an introduction to the Lectures on Materia Medica, which will commence in October.

The foundation of the education in our school is CHEMISTRY, which science, therefore, claims the early attention of the student. In studying the structural characters and physiology of plants, their growth, nutrition, and decay, as well as in the examination of all the substances employed in medicine, whether of an animal or mineral origin-a knowledge of Chemistry is essential. The preparation of drugs which comprehends all pharmaceutical operations, can neither be successfully practised nor clearly understood, without some acquaintance with the ultimate and proximate elements of bodies, their affinities, and the laws relating to combination and decomposition, which constitute the fundamental principles of Chemistry. This science, therefore, which is one of the most interesting, is the most important pursuit to the student in pharmacy, and is calculated to prepare his mind for the reception of other knowledge which he ought to possess.

The lectures, which will be delivered by Mr. Fownes, will comprise a general outline of Chemistry, with as many of the details as are compatible with the prescribed limits. The chief object which has been kept in view in arranging the course, is practical utility, and the several parts of the subject will be treated with more or less amplitude in proportion to their degree of importance to the Pharmaceutical Chemist.

Synopsis of Mr. Fownes's Lectures on Chemistry.

Introduction.

Specific gravity-Practical determination of densities of Solids, Liquids, and Gases.

Physical properties of Gases-The Atmosphere-Principle and use of the Air-Pump and Barometer.

Heat-Expansion of Bodies-Thermometer-Latent Heat-Vaporization.
Oxygen-Hydrogen-Water.

Nitrogen-Chemical history of the Atmosphere.
Compounds of Nitrogen and Oxygen-Nitric Acid.

Carbon and its Oxides—Sulphur-Manufacture of Oil of Vitriol-Phosphorus.

Chlorine-Hydrochloric Acid.
Iodine-Bromine-Fluorine

Compounds of Hydrogen with Nitrogen, Carbon, and Sulphur-Ammonia-Carburetted Hydrogen Coal Gas Manufacture-Sulphuretted Hydrogen.

General Remarks on the Metals; their physical and chemical PropertiesNature of Saline Combinations.

Metals of the Alkalies-Potassium and Sodium and their Salts.
Metals of the Earths-Lime-Baryta-Strontia-Magnesia.
The Metals proper.

Sketch of Organic Chemistry.

So large a proportion of our medicinal substances are derived from the vegetable kingdom, that the science of BOTANY naturally precedes Materia Medica in the order of arrangement which is recommended to the student. In London and other large cities, the facilities for prosecuting this study are comparatively small, and the country apprentice, who complains of privations in some other respects, enjoys an opportunity which he should not undervalue, of collecting plants and making himself well acquainted with their characters and classification.

The practical knowledge of the productions of nature which may be thus obtained, is the best foundation a student can possess, and is more likely to lead to eminence in the science, than theoretical study in a large city, where the supply of specimens is of necessity scanty and uncertain. The advantage of early application of this kind is particularly felt when the opportunity of attending lectures occurs, as the theory of the classification is more easily understood by those who are familiar with the plants themselves, and those minutiae of description which a lecturer is enabled to give during his demonstrations, are likely to make a more permanent impression where the mind is previously prepared for their reception. As the lectures on Botany have been delivered, we merely insert the syllabus in order to complete the notice of the School of Pharmacy.

Synopsis of Dr. Thomson's Lectures on Botany.

Introduction-Definition of Botany-the Nature of a Plant, and the distinction between Plants and Animals. Botany has reference to the external or physical Characters, and the Structure of Plants-their vital actions and their classification: hence it may be divided into Structural— Physiological and Systematic.

1. STRUCTURAL BOTANY is

A. Particular-Comprehending

1. Organs essential to the individual life of the Species.
2. Organs essential for the reproduction of the Species.
B. General-Comprehending Elementary Organs common to
both the former.
A. 1. ORGANS ESSENTIAL TO INDIVIDUAL VEGETABLE LIFE :
a. Roots-Fibrous-Ramose-Tuberose - Fusiform Creep-
ing-aerial Roots.

Appendages-Cormus-Tubers--Bulbs.
Underground Stems - Rhizomes

Roots.

--

Functions of

b. Stems general Nature of divisions: 1. of Exogens-2. of

Endogens.

1. Structure of Exogenous Stems-Bark-WoodPith-Branching Growth in diameter and length.

2. Structure of Endogenous Stems in Palms-Liliacea-Grasses-Ferns-Branching of Endogens

c. Leaves-1. Unexpanded--Leaf Buds-Vernation.

2. Expanded-Varieties of Form, simple and compound-Position of Leaves upon the StemAppendages.

Formation of Leaves-Leafless Plants.

d. Stipules-Bracts-Tendrils-Stings.

A. 2. ORGANS OF REPRODUCTION :

e. Flowers-Their arrangement on the Plant, or Inflorescence. f. Floral Envelopes-Calyx-Corolla.

g. Generative Organs-Stamen-Pistil-Ovary.

h. Ovule-Fruit, Seed, Embryo.

B. ELEMENTARY ORGANS :

a. Cellular Tissue.

b. Vascular Tissue.

c. Woody Fibre.

d. Epidermis-and its Appendages.

II. PHYSIOLOGICAL BOTANY.

Cohesiveness - Permeability - Endosmose-Ascent of the SapTranspiration of Plants - Irritability-Secretion-Assimilation and Growth-Fertilization.

III. SYSTEMATIC BOTANY.

a. Artificial System.

b. Natural System.

Each to be illustrated, as far as possible, by Medicinal Plants.

A prize having been offered by the Council, an examination took place at the close of the course, and eight candidates appeared in the field.

The names, characters, and natural orders of the following