and completely soluble in twelve months gave an insolubility equal to 0.4 per cent. to 0.7 per cent. in a further twelve months. (b) Taken from stock gave 0.4 per cent. insolubility, increasing in twelve months to 1 per cent., and to 2.6 per cent. in the next twelve months. (c) Increased in insolubility in two years from 0.4 per cent. to 3.6 per cent. (d) A fresh and completely soluble sample after two years gave an insolubility of 2.4 per cent. cent. In the communication above mentioned, I showed that some samples gave as much as 10 per cent. insoluble in 90 per cent. alcohol, and that the greater the insolubility in alcohol the greater was the insolubility in chloroform and ether.

It would seem to be more just and right, therefore, not to state, as do the B.P. and the Codex, that the resin is soluble in 90 per cent. alcohol, but that the insolubility should not exceed per cent.

2

GENERAL BUSINESS.

PRESENTATION OF BOOKS.

The PRESIDENT presented the following books from the Bell and Hills Fund to the pharmacists of Aberdeen: National Standard Dispensatory, with Dictionary of Chemistry, four volumes, and Greenish's Micro-Examination of Food and Drugs.

Mr. GILES, in accepting the presentation, said the books would be very useful to everyone, and especially valuable to the younger men who were preparing themselves for examination.

VOTES OF THANKS.

Mr. R. A. ROBINSON, in proposing a vote of thanks to the members of the local Executive Committee, including the ladies, said the visitors knew how much care and trouble the arrangements entailed, and he could assure the Committee that their services had been very much appreciated. He would mention particularly Mr. Giles, Provost Alexander, and Mr. Hay. It was delightful to enjoy the kind hospitality of the Committee and local members.

Mr. RUSSELL, of Dundee, in seconding the motion, said the Conference was one of the most successful ever held.

The proposition was carried with acclamation.

Mr. GILES, in returning thanks, said he had found the work very agreeable, and they would be very willing to do it again. They had Mr. Hay as Local Secretary, and he had been ably assisted in the work by Mr. James Paterson. They were also largely indebted to Mr. Anderson. It had been very great satisfaction to the Committee to do all they could to make the visit an enjoyable one.

Mr. HAY also made a brief reply, in the course of which he said if his efforts were appreciated he was amply rewarded.

Mr. RUTHERFORD HILL proposed a vote of thanks to the Senatus of the University and the Students' Union for granting them the use of the Marischal College buildings, a kindness the visitors much appreciated.

Mr. D. B. DOTT supported the resolution in a few suitable remarks.

Mr. JOHN SMITH, President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland, proposed a vote of thanks to the Lord Provost, magistrates, and Town Council for their generous hospitality on Monday night.

Mr. J. P. GILMOUR seconded.

The PRESIDENT said he had never enjoyed a public function so much as the reception in the Art Gallery, and what had been more particularly gratifying to him was the hearty manner in which the reception had been followed up.

INVITATION TO NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE.

Mr. T. M. CLAGUE extended, on behalf of a deputation, an invitation to the Conference to hold its next meeting in Newcastle. In the course of an eloquent speech he assured the Conference that it would be received in Newcastle with great cordiality.

Mr. G. FOGGAN seconded the invitation, and Mr. N. H. MARTIN added that he hoped the Conference would go to Newcastle in large numbers.

Mr. NAYLOR moved the acceptance of the invitation, and said they were most grateful to those gentlemen who had invited them. He was sure that Newcastle would give the Conference a characteristic welcome.

Mr. F. W. BRANSON having said a few words, the invitation was unanimously accepted, the PRESIDENT reminding the meeting that in visiting Newcastle next year the Conference was

like a child returning home, the original home of the Conference being Newcastle.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

Sir EDWARD EVANS moved the election of the following officers for the ensuing year :-President, Mr. J. F. Tocher; VicePresidents, Messrs. Young, Lunan, Smith, George Weddell, Ransom, Greenish; Treasurer, Mr. Umney; Secretaries, Messrs. Peck and White; Local Secretary, Mr. Clague; Assistant Local Secretary, Mr. H.W. Noble; Executive Committee, Messrs. Alcock, Finnemore, Gilmour, E. F. Harrison, John Harrison. Hay, D. L. Howard, and Martindale.

With regard to the appointment of the new President, Sir EDWARD EVANS said that those who had the privilege of knowing Mr. Tocher knew that the proceedings next year would be of the very highest character. He congratulated Mr. Tocher on the Committee over which he would preside; still more did he congratulate the Committee on the excellent President who would preside over them.

Mr. MACEWAN seconded the proposition.

Mr. TOCHER said he was conscious of the honour conferred on him. He wished to say that all his efforts would go towards maintaining the dignity of the office and the advancement of the Conference. The best brains in the ranks of pharmacy had been devoted to the solution of difficult problems. Among those who had devoted their talents in this way the Past-Presidents must occupy a high place. It was not given to every one of them to accomplish in pharmacy great and permanent work, such as must ever be associated with names like Hanbury, Schacht, and Martindale, nor could every man give his career so distinguished a pharmaceutical turn as that which must always be associated with the name of Wright, of Buxton, but they could emulate the grand examples of the historic past, and they could emulate the history-making present.

THANKS TO THE PRESIDENT.

Mr. MARTIN proposed a vote of thanks to the President for his admirable chairmanship of the Conference. They were indebted to him for his able address, and for the eminently fair and practical manner in which he had conducted the business.

Mr. GLYN-JONES seconded the vote of thanks, which was accorded with applause.

Mr. WRIGHT, in acknowledgment, said that the fact that he had been President was sufficient thanks for anything he had done. He would not like the meeting to close without expressing hearty thanks to the Joint Honorary Secretaries for their very able and valuable services, and also to the Editor of The Pharmaceutical Journal for supplying them with the booklets containing the text of the papers and the order of business.

THE SOCIAL GATHERINGS

THE RECEPTION.

On Monday evening, September 14, the members of the Conference were the guests of the Town Council and Magistrates of Aberdeen at a conversazione. In the absence of the Lord Provost, Sir Alexander Lyon, the visitors were welcomed by Baillie Milne, accompanied by Lady Lyon.

The PRESIDENT responded on behalf of the Conference, and was supported by Mr. R. A. Robinson. Mr. William Giles, on behalf of the local executive, thanked the city authorities for their kindly welcome, and expressed the regret of the members at the absence of the Lord Provost. About 500 guests were present, including local representatives of Arts and Science, and a capital musical programme was provided for the entertainment of the guests.

TUESDAY'S EXCURSIONS.

In the afternoon a large party was conveyed by cars to the Rubislaw granite quarries, where the method of working was explained to them, and a beautiful view obtained of Aberdeen Bay from the car terminus.

Another party visited the stone-dressing and polishing works of Messrs. MacDonald & Co., the operations in progress being explained by the staff of the company. At 5.30 both parties met at Sea Beach Pavilion, where tea was served, the party afterwards returning to Aberdeen by car.

WEDNESDAY'S EXCURSION.

On Wednesday, September 16, a party of about 200 was conveyed to Muchalls. They were met at the station by the local coastguards, who took them for a short tour on the cliffs, in order to view the bold and rocky coast scenery. Tea was afterwards served at the Marine Hotel, and after a visit to the coastguard station, the party returned by train to Aberdeen.

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