2. (Magendie.) The ethereal extract is exhausted with cold alcohol (rectified spirit), as before, and the resulting tincture is evaporated to dryness; the residuum is dissolved in water, calcined magnesia added in excess, and the whole boiled and filtered; the sediment is digested in ether, and the ethereal tincture allowed to crystallise by slow evaporation.
Prop., &c. Gentianin forms golden-yellow needles, scarcely soluble in cold water, but very soluble in alcohol and ether. It is a powerful bitter and stomachic.—Dose, 1⁄2 gr. to 2 gr.
GER′MAN PASTE. Prep. From pea-meal, 2 lbs.; sweet almonds (blanched), 1 lb.; fresh butter or lard, 1⁄4 lb.; moist sugar, 5 oz.; hay saffron, 1⁄2 dr.; beat to a smooth paste, adding cold water q. s., granulate the mass by passing it through a colander, and expose the product to the air in a warm place, until quite hard and dry. The addition of 2 or 3 eggs improves it. Used to feed larks, nightingales, and other insectivorous birds. It will keep good for 12 months in a dry place.
GER′MAN SILVER. Syn. Albata, Argentan, Electrum, Nickel Silver, Tutenag, Virginian Plate, White Copper. A well-known alloy, the finer varieties of which nearly equal silver in whiteness and susceptibility of receiving a high polish, whilst they surpass it in hardness and durability. The following formulæ are from the highest authorities, or are the results of actual analysis of the finest commercial samples:—
Prep. 1. Copper, 50 parts; nickel, 20 parts; zinc, 30 parts. Very malleable, and takes a high polish.
2. Copper, 50 parts; nickel, 26 parts; zinc, 24 parts. Closely resembles silver; an excellent sample.
3. Copper and zinc, of each 41 parts; nickel, 18 parts. Rather brittle.
4. (M. Gersdorff.) Copper, 50 parts; nickel and zinc, of each 25 parts. Very white and malleable, and takes a high polish. Recommended as a general substitute for silver.
5. (Gersdorff.) Copper, 60 parts; nickel and zinc, of each 20 parts. For castings, as bells, candlesticks, &c.
6. (Gersdorff.) Copper, 60 parts; nickel, 25 parts; zinc, 20 parts. For rolling and wire. Very tough and malleable.