Carbonate of potassium 1¾ oz. Powdered spermaceti 1¾ oz. Starch powder 1 lb. Benzoin ¾ oz. Oil of bitter almond 150 grains. Mix intimately and preserve in well-closed boxes. For use, stir some into water. KALODERM. Wheat flour 4 lb. Almond bran 1 lb. Orris root, in fine powder 1 lb. Extract of rose 1 pint. Glycerin 6 fl. oz. Form into a dough which is thinned with water and painted on the skin. MUSK PASTE (FOR WASHING THE HANDS). Powdered white soap 2 lb. Orris root, in fine powder ½ lb. Starch powder 1½ oz. Oil of lemon ¾ oz. Oil of neroli 150 grains. Tincture of musk 1½ fl. oz. Glycerin 12 fl. oz. Rub the starch with the glycerin in a mortar until they are thoroughly mixed. Then transfer the mixture to a porcelain capsule and apply a heat gradually raised to 284° F. (and not exceeding 290° F.), stirring constantly, until the starch granules are completely dissolved, and a translucent jelly is formed. Then gradually incorporate with it the powdered soap and orris root, and lastly the oils and tincture. CHAPTER XXVII. HAIR COSMETICS. The number of preparations used for the care of the hair and beard is considerable. Unfortunately we are forced to admit that the majority of them, especially those said to strengthen the scalp and to stimulate the growth of the hair, are utterly inert. Thus far we know too little of the natural conditions of growth of the hair to enable us to compound remedies which would actively aid the efforts of nature in this direction. In like manner we cannot speak with approval of the preparations used to color the hair, either from a chemico-sanitary or from an æsthetic standpoint; many of them contain substances which positively injure the hair or impart to it an unnatural color which is detected at first sight. But a well-made cosmetic should never produce this effect, and nature must be faithfully imitated if the preparation is to deserve the name of a cosmetic. With the so-called hair and beard elixirs almost incredible swindles are perpetrated; the practical perfumer, however, cannot advise against the use of such worthless preparations among his goods, as they are in daily demand. This is the reason why we furnish the formulas for some of these secret preparations; anybody at all familiar with the principles of chemistry and physiology will recognize their worthlessness from their composition. The only articles of practical value are those intended for cleansing the hair, for making it soft and glossy, some of the hair dyes, and the preparations for fixing the hair in certain positions. A. Hair Washes. EAU D’ATHÈNES.