AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY AGROTECHNY, 113 



" The lactometers in common use for determining specific gravity of milk are 

 not sufficiently sensitive to be used in connection with the Babcoclc fat test for 

 estimating total solids in milk by formula. A modification of the Quevenne 

 lactometer was, however, devised which Avas found to yield results quite as 

 accurate as those obtained with the Westphal balance and at the same time so 

 constructed that it may be used successfully by those unskilled in the use of 

 chemical apparatus." 



The degree of accuracy with, which proteins can be estimated in milk by 

 aldehyde titration, H. I). Eichmond {Analyst, 36 (1911), No. J/IS, pp. 9-12). — 

 The aldehyde figure of milk (E. S. R., 22, p. 309) was found to agree well with 

 the results obtained by the Kjeldahl method when using the factor 6.38 for the 

 latter. The maximum errors of a single determination were +0.2 and — 0.13. 

 An abuoi-nial milk containing much albumin had a limit of error of 0.5 per cent. 



The polarimetric estimation of milk sugar, H. I). Richmond (Analyst, 35 

 (1910), No. 417, pp. 516, 517). — Acid mercuric nitrate, according to the author, 

 does not in every case precipitate all the proteins from milk or from a solution 

 of milk products. He, therefore, utilizes a double precipitation method, which 

 " is to prepare the solution for the polarization of milk sugar with acid mer- 

 curic nitrate as usual, and to add to this 5 per cent of phosphotungstic acid 

 and 5 per cent of 1 : 1 sulphuric acid. After filtration, the solution is polarized 

 and the reading multiplied by 1.1." 



Tlie results obtained by the now method were very much higher. 



A rapid process for the estimation of coconut oil in admixture with butter 

 fat, N. C. Cassal and B. H. Gerrans (Cliem. Neics, 102 (1910), No. 2655, pp. 

 190, 191). — The author describes a method with which it is possible to increase 

 markedly the difference between the titration figures for the insoluble fatty 

 acids from coconut oil and those for the insoluble fatty acids from butter. The 

 process is simple and requires only about 2^ hours. 



A method for coloring the fat precipitated in the Gerber acidobutyro- 

 metric method, 11. M. Hoybkkg (Ztsclir. Ficisch ». Milvhhyy., 21 (IDIO), No. 2, 

 pp. .'i6, -^7). — In order to determine whether the fat has been completely pre- 

 cipitated, the author recommends coloring it with Sudan III, by adding it to the 

 amyl alcohol in the form of a 2 per cent alcoholic solution. 



Interpretation of the analytical results for milk adulterations, A. Fakines 

 (Indus. Lait. [Paris], 36 (1911), No. 2, pp. i 7-2.'/). —After discussing the vari- 

 ous factors which iutiuonee the comiwsition of milk, the author describes the 

 mathematical and other m.ethods for detecting the addition of water, the re- 

 moval of cream, and the simultaneous removal of cream :uid addition of water. 



The influence of potassium bichromate on the results of milk analyses, 

 L. Garnier (Jour. Pharm. et Chim., 7. ser., 3 (1911), No. 2, pp. 55-59). — The 

 author determined t'he effect of adding bichromate to milk (1:1,000) upon the 

 ultimate results obtained on analysis. It seems that the addition of this sub- 

 stance increases the acidity, refraction, and cryoscopic constants, but diminishes 

 the lactose content. 



The volatile oils, E, Gildemeister and F. Hoffmann (Die Atherischen Ole. 

 Leipsic, 1910, vol. 1, 2. cd., pp. VIII+697, pis. 2, figs. 75).— This is the first 

 volume of the second edition of this well-known work, which was prepared 

 under the direction of Schimmel and Company of Leipsic. The second edition 

 has been edited by Dr. E. Gildemeister. 



The menthol content of Hungarian peppermint oil, K, Irk (KisMet. 

 Kozlem., 13 (WW). No. J,, pp. //7M-^^)-— The following results were obtained: 

 Ester content from 6.93 to 16.26 per cent, menthol ester 5.46 to 12.82 per cent, 

 free menthol 42.815 to 59.90 per cent, total menthol 55.19 to 55.38 per cent, and 



