K. DOMESTIC AND HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY 487 



ened when boiled in distilled water; and analysis of their 

 ashes gave nearly the same results as with those of the other 

 character. 13 C^ January 15, 1873, 142. 



THE CUTTLE-FISH AS AN ARTICLE OF FOOD. 



According to Mr. Simmons, the flesh of the large species of 

 cuttle-fish was esteemed a great delicacy by the ancients; 

 and at the present time the natives of the Polynesian Islands 

 regard it with great favor as food. These fish are frequent- 

 ly met with throughout India and China, dried, and oftered 

 for sale. In Chili they are also considered a delicacy, and in 

 Barbadoes a species of loligo is often eaten. Mr. Simmons, 

 however, considers the flesh as tough, indigestible, innutri- 

 tions, and uninviting. He further states that there is an ex- 

 tensive trade in a species of octopod in the waters of Tunis, 

 and that they are consumed largely during Lent, as coming 

 under the canonical head of fish. Three or four thousand 

 hundred weight are generally marketed for this purpose. 



They are taken in deep water by means of earthen jars, 

 strung together and lowered to the bottom of the sea, where 

 they are allowed to remain for a certain number of hours, dur- 

 ins: which the cuttle-fish enter into them. Sometimes as many 

 as eight or ten are taken from every jar at each visit of the 

 fishermen. In shallow water, earthen drain-pipes are placed 

 side by side, for a distance frequently exceeding half a mile, 

 and the cuttle-fish go into these, and are thus captured. In 

 some localities the most successful method consists in con- 

 structing brush weirs, in which the octopods are inclosed by 

 the falling tide. 17 A^ September 1, 1872, 327. 



DETECTION OP ADULTERATION OF COFFEE. 



When burned grain, or any other substance containing 

 starch, has been substituted for coflfee, a dilute solution of 

 caustic potash, shaken with a small quantity of the powder, 

 filtered, and further diluted, yields, with a solution of iodine, 

 the characteristic blue starch reaction. Y'^ C^ December \h^ 

 1872,1628. 



PROPER COMBINATIONS IN SOAPS. 



According to Mignot, a perfect soap is one in which the 

 fatty matters and the alkaline have been so thoroughly com- 



