THE FERMENT OF MADDER ON SUGAR. 113 



top, which was filled up with oil in order to prevent frothing. 

 The gas was allowed to escape through a bent tube carried 

 through the cork. In order to expel all the air which might 

 be left in the apparatus, the disengagement of gas was 

 allowed to proceed for a whole day before any of it was col- 

 lected for examination. Six cubic inches were then collected 

 in a graduated tube over mercury. Caustic soda was then 

 introduced into the tube in order to absorb the carbonic acid. 

 The residual gas consisted almost entirely of hydrogen. Its 

 amount was determined by means of oxygen and spongy 

 platinum. After making the necessary corrections for tem- 

 perature and pressure, the 6 cubic inches of mixed gas were 

 found to consist of 4.90 carbonic acid, 0.96 hydrogen, and 

 0.14 atmospheric air or nitrogen. The day afterwards I col- 

 lected 5.16 cubic inches of gas, and found it to contain 4.41 

 carbonic acid and 0.75 hydrogen. Three days later again, 

 5.77 cubic inches of gas were collected, and found to be 

 composed of 4.86 carbonic acid, 0.76 hydrogen, and 0.15 

 atmospheric air or nitrogen. According to these three deter- 

 minations, the proportion of hydrogen to carbonic acid was 

 respectively as 1:5.10, 1:5.88, and 1:6.39. It appears, 

 therefore, that the carbonic acid increased in quantity rela- 

 tively to the hydrogen, as the fermentation proceeded. 



The liquid products of the fermentation were examined in 

 the following manner. A solution of 4 lbs. of cane sugar 

 was mixed with 19 quarts of brown pulp, to which lime 

 water had been previously added in the usual proportion. 

 The mixture was allowed to ferment for about two weeks, 

 during which time much gas was disengaged. The liquid, 

 which had acquired an acid reaction, was then strained 

 through calico, after which it measured 36 quarts. These 

 36 quarts were introduced into a still, and distilled until 8 

 quarts had passed over. By a second distillation I obtained 

 2 quarts, and by a third distillation 12 fl. oz. of a liquid, 

 which was inflammable, alcoholic in taste and smell, devoid 

 Q 



