Contractions. - Anthrak. Ank.

The substance proved under this name is produced by the action of fused Caustic Potash upon a peculiar kind of pit-coal obtained at Funfkirchen, in Hungary, and hence no other kind of coal should be used. The powder, f 2 which is black, greasy to the finger, and deliquescent, has a very complex chemical composition, the particulars of which have not yet been ascertained.

In preparing it, 7 parts by weight of Caustic Potash are fused in a polished iron vessel, and 5 parts by weight of very fine pulverized Funfkirchen pit-coal are carefully stirred into it, and the vessel is then removed from the fire and the stirring continued until the mixture becomes solid, when it should be rapidly reduced to powder in a warm mortar, and preserved in well-stoppered bottles.

Test. - 5 grains of the powder will yield a dark brown solution with 1 fluid ounce of water; so dark, indeed, that after all insoluble matter has subsided the solution is translucent only in thin layers.

Preparation. - Trituration.

Reference to Horn. Proving. - Marcy and Peters' New Mat. Med.
