METEOROLOGY WATER. 525 



On the extraction of fat from feces and the occurrence of lecithin, J. H. 

 Long (Jour. A)iirr. C'hcin. Soc, 2S (1906), No. 6, pp. 70Ji-706). — Comparative 

 tests sliowod that when fat of feces was extracted hy the paper-coil method 

 hijilier resuhs were oI)tained than l).v tlie shell extraction with sand. "No reason 

 is api)arent why such differences should obtain where suflicient time is given." 

 Tlie coil method " connnends itself on acc(mnt of ease in manipulation and com- 

 plete extraction. A perfectly clear ether extract is obtained, which, after 

 evaporation, again dissolves readily in ether." 



The phosphoric acid in tlie fat was determined in the samples studied and 

 would indicate an excretion of 3 to 5.5 gm. of lecithin per day. In later tests 

 smaller amounts were found. " With our present Icnowledge of the distribu- 

 tion of lecithin in animal and vegetable foods it is somewhat difficult to account 

 for such values." It is pointed out that further experiments are needed. 



Graviniertric estimation of saltpeter in meat, C. Paal and G. Meiiktens 

 (ZlscJtr. IJntcrfiHch. NaJir. ii. GciiiissmtL, 12 (1906), No. 7, pp. .',10-.'il6).—A 

 comparison of methods led to the conclusion that the gravimetric (nitron) 

 method of estimating salti)eter in meat and meat products gives sufficiently 

 accurate results, and the data obtained by this method agree well with those 

 obtained by the gas-volumetric method of analysis. 



Note on the examination of maple products. The lead value, A. I'. Ry 

 (Jour. FrankUn Inst., 162 (1906), No. 1, pp. 71, 72).— A modified method of 

 estimating lead in maple sugars and maple sirups is proposed, lead acetate 

 being precipitated by means of hydrochloric, nitric, and sulphuric acids, the 

 lead sulphate, after the addition of alcohol, being removed by filtration and the 

 lead determined as usual. 



The quantitative estimation of ergot in flour, II. Bernhart (Ztschr. Unter- 

 such. Nalir. ii. (IciinssintL. 12 (1906). No. 6. pp. 321-3'i0). — The method proposed 

 depends upon the determination of the amount of chitin, a characteristic con- 

 stituent of the ergot. 



Practical guide for food chemists, G. Pellerin (Guide Pratique de VExpert- 

 Vhimiste en Denrvcs AUnicntdires. Paris: Maloine. 1906, vol. 1, pp. 680; rev. in 

 Rev. 06n. Sci., 17 (1906), No. 16, p. 75.5). — This volume is designed as a lab- 

 oratory manual for the guidance of food chemists, and, in addition to full de- 

 scriiitions of analytical processes and methods, contains numerous tables and 

 similar data. 



Yearbook of chemistry, 11. Meyer et al. (JaJiiIt. Chem., 15 (1905), pp. 

 X/I-\-5!)5). — This is a review of the more important contributions to pure and 

 applied chemisti'y during 1905. Biographical data are also included. 



METEOROLOGY— WATER. 



Monthly Weather Review (ilio. Weather Rev., 3.) (1906), Nos. 7. pp. 307- 

 356, pis. 10. litis. 6, eharts ,S,- S, pp. 357-J,0Ji, figs. 9, charts 6).— In addition to 

 the usual reports on forecasts, warnings, weather and crop conditions, meteor- 

 nlogic:il tables and charts for the months of July and August, 190G, progress 

 of climatology throughout tlie world, recent papers Itearing on meteorology, 

 recent additions to the Weather Bureau library, etc., these numbers contain the 

 following articles and notes : 



No. 7. — Studies on the Thermodynamics of the Atmosphere — VI, The Water- 

 spout Seen off Cottage City, Mass., in Vineyard Sound, on August 19, 1890 

 (illus.), by F. II. Bigelow ; Climatology of Porto Rico from 18G7 to 190.^), inclu- 

 sive, by W. II. Alexander (see p. 52G) ; A New Form of Precision Barograj)]! 

 (illus.). by C. Y. Marvin: Snow Rollers (illus.), by W. A. Beutley ; Snow 



20915— No. 6—07 .m 3 



