ZOOLOGICAL, DEPARTMENT. 383 



» 

 glucose, ill all cases where it is likely to be practiced. The same would be 

 true if cane sugar syrup was mixed with the honey. 



2. That a probable method to distinguish honey dew honey from honey 

 adulterated with glucose has been determined by these analyses. The- 

 right-handed or slight left-handed rotation together with the large amount 

 of ash, and small amount of invert sugar indicate honey dew honey. As 

 honey dew honey will never be put onto the market, this question is of 

 scientific rather than practical imjiortance. 



3. As yet the chemist is unable to distinguish between cane sugar syrup 

 honey — by which we mean cane sugar syrup fed to the bees and trans- 

 formed by them into honey, and not cane syrup mixed with honey, which 

 is adulteration pure and simple, though a kind not likely to be practiced — 

 and honey from flowers. As the best cultivated taste cannot thus 

 distinguish, this seems of slight importance. If it should prove to be 

 important to be able to distinguish them it is probable that the chemist 

 will discover the means, as chemistry has very delicate eyes, and can 

 usually search out very slight differences. 



We see that there are yet unsolved problems in this direction. And it 

 is desirable to follow up the investigations. Prof. H. W. Wiley is desirous 

 to do so till the last fact is discovered. To better accomplish this he- 

 desires samples of three or four pounds each of honeys from any hiown 

 source, especially honey dew honey, and that gathered very rapidly. Sugar 

 syrup honey will also be very acceptable. Such samples may be sent to 

 Prof. H. W. Wiley, Division of Chemistry, Department of Agriculture, 

 Washington, D. C. The express will be paid by the Department jof 

 Agriculture. 



1 wish to thank the three distinguished chemists who have rendered 

 such able assistance in determining these valuable results. 



A. J. COOK. 

 Agricultural College, Mich., 

 June 29, 1893. 



