AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY — AGROTECHNY. 311 



Certain Tunis olivp oils give color icactions with furfurol liydrocbloric r.eid, 

 but these are different from those obtained with oils which contain minute 

 amounts of sesame oil, and further, these oils react to Bellier's test. Washing 

 the oils with sodium bicarbonate removes the reacting bodies. When ran- 

 cidity sets in the reaction also disappears. 



The furfurol reaction for detecting' sesame oil, L. Durand {Ann. Falsif., 2 

 iJ!)09), No. 9, pp. 317-319). — The Villavecchia-Fabris reaction at times gives 

 erroneous results with certain Algerian olive oils. When modified as recom- 

 mended by Milliau and Marcille the results obtained are better. 



New characteristic reaction of oil of sesame, P. Guarnieri (Staz. Sper, Agr. 

 Ital., Ji2 (1909), No. .',-6, pp. 387. 388).— Two or ,3 drops of a reagent consisting 

 of an ethereal solution of hydrogen peroxid are added to 1 cc. of the oil in 

 question and a double volume of nitric acid. Upon agitating the mixture 

 strongly for a few seconds and allowing a separation to take place, a green- 

 blue color indicates the presence of oil of sesame. 



The thermal degree and the thennoleom,eter, M. Tortelli (Ga~. Chim. Ital., 

 39 (1909). II, Ao. 1, pp. 71-100, figs. 2).— The thermal degree consists of an 

 accurate determination of the Maume figure with the author's thermoleometer. 

 The determination of this constant accurately is of particular value for detect- 

 ing adulterations in edible oils and fats, as each oil or fat, or a mixture of 

 them, has a different thermal degree. Olive oil, for instance, has a lower 

 thermal degree than any of its usual adulterants. 



Tables are given which show the thermal degrees of the different animal and 

 vegetable oils and fats, and the ratio between these and the iodin number. 



A new form of polarimeter for the measurement of the refractive index 

 of opaque bodies, W. F. Barrett (/SV/. Proc. Ron. Duhliii Soc. n. ser.. 12 

 (1909), No. 19, pp. 198-201, figs. 2). — This is a newly devised jKilarimeter which 

 can be employed for opaque liquids and solids which have an angle of ])olariza- 

 rioii lying between 4S and OS". 



Standardizing' chemical apparatus at the Belgian measure and weight 

 bureau (Ztschr. Angew. Chem., 22 (1909), No. 46, pp. 2235, 2236).— Directions 

 and requirements in regard to the standardization of chemical apparatus are 

 given. 



Yearbook of chemistry, edited by R. Meyer et al. (Jahib. Chctii., 18 (1908), 

 pp. XII+.')87). — A report of the most important additions in pure and applied 

 chemistry during the year 1008. 



Yearly report on agricultural chemistry, T. Dietrich (Jahresber. Agr. 

 Ghent.. 3. ser., 11 (1908), pp. XXXVI+656). — This is a report of the progress in 

 agricultural chemistry for the year 1908. It includes practically all the im- 

 portant advances in agricultural chemistry and the allied sciences. 



Yearly report of the progress in the examination of foods for 1908, H. 

 Beckurts (Jahresber. Nahr. u. Genussnith. ]8 (1908). pp. 20'>). — This is a 

 compilation of the progress made in food chemistry and closely allied subjects 

 throughout the world for the year 1908. It includes a description and discus- 

 sion of the newer and modified methods for food analysis, a discussion of the 

 results obtained, and recommendations for the interpretation of results of the 

 analyses of the different food materials. 



Report of the state dairy, food and oil commissioner of Wyoming' (Ann. 

 Rpt. Dairy, Food and Oil Comr. Wyo., 5 (1909), pp. 112, pis. 6). — This is the 

 fifth annual rejiort and is for the year ended October 1, 1909. 



Report on the work of the Lille Municipal Laboratory during the year 

 1908, A. Bonn (Ann. Falsif., 2 (1909), No. 12, pp. -J^.O-./, J3).— Data are given 

 regarding the scope and extent of the analytical work carried on at this labora- 

 tory. 



