328 KiRKWooD AND GiES : Chemical Studies 



have been 788 grams, the percentages of the parts were (calcu- 

 lated by us) : 



Shell. Endosperm with Germ. Milk. 



28.17 P^r cent. 54.32 per cent. 17-Sl psr cent. 



These results, it will be observed, harmonize closely with the aver- 

 ages of our own determinations. 



The data obtained by Bachofeu in this connection will be 

 found in the table on page 335.* 



Composition of the Milk. — The milk was poured from the 

 nut through an opening made in the "eye" of the fertile carpel 

 (see page 350) with a cork -borer. Extraneous matter could easily 

 be kept out of the milk by this procedure and, besides, the fluid 

 could be obtained when desired in a perfectly fresh, unevaporated 

 condition. 



The milk was found to be faintly turbid and opalescent in each 

 case, and always contained a few oil globules and occasionally 

 crystalline matter. It was acid in reaction to litmus although, as 

 shown by lacmoid, no free acid was present in the normal fluid. 

 The reaction is due to acid phosphate. Both alkali and earthy 

 phosphate are present. The latter can be precipitated, in part at 

 least, on boiling. An abundant precipitate of phosphate is obtained 

 when the milk is made alkaline. The average specific gravity, 

 determined with the aid of a hydrometer, was,, as already noted on 

 page 327, 1,023 and 1,021. The average specific gravity of the 

 mixed milk of i 5 nuts not included in the table on that page was 

 1,023. Of eight additional nuts not referred to there, and ex- 

 amined at another time, the figures for the mixed milk were 



1,022. 



The milk reduces Fehling's and Nylander's solutions and it fer- 

 ments. It contains some monosaccharide which, from the char- 

 acters of the phenylosazone derivatives, appears to consist of 

 either dextrose or galactose, probably of both. Disaccharide in 

 the form of cane-sugar is also present in good quantity, as might 

 be inferred from the sweet taste of the milk. 



* Results having some relation to these are given by Atwater : Report of the 

 Storrs (Conn ) Agricultural Experiment Station, 123. 1899. Hammerbacher (Land- 

 wirtschaftlichen Versuchs-Stationen, etc., 18: 472. 1875) found that the endosperm 

 of two nuts weighed 835.8 grams ; the milk, 303.95 grams. See also, pages 331 and 356. 



