AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY — AGROTECHNY. 6l5 



nut, and olive oils, the figure fluctuated between 0.9933 and 0.9947, while for 

 oleo oil, lard, lard stearin, oleostearin, cacao butter, palm-nut oil, butter 

 (renovated), coconut oil, and a mixture of cotton-seed oil and oleostearin it 

 was between 0.9923 and 0.9941. 



The above figures are in accord with those which can be calculated from 

 published refractive indexes and with the ratio of the refraction of fatty acids 

 and triglycerids. The saturation of the acid has little effect upon the ratio, 

 which is 0.9938 for stearin, olein, linolin, and linolenin, and with the lower 

 acids a decrease, as with palmitin 0.9922 and laurin 0.9905. 



Some typographical errors in reference books are pointed out, particularly in 

 regard to the refractive index usually published for the insoluble acids of olive 

 and rape oils and cacao butter. Olive oil is said to be low by about 0.005. 



Coconut fat with a hig'h iodin number, W. Vaubel (Ztschr., Offentl. (J hem., 

 18 (1912), No. 3, pp. ^6, ^7). — The findings were practically the same as those of 

 Richardson, previously noted (E. S. R., 26, p. 611). 



Abnormal beeswax, G. Buchner (Ztschr. Offenfl. Chem., 18 (1912), No. 5, 

 pp. 90, 91). — A discussion of the analytical results obtamed with beeswax of 

 known (East African, Italian, and Spanish) and unknown origin. In most 

 cases it was noted that where the free acidity was normal or slightly higher 

 there was a diminution in the ester figure and an increase in the hydrocarbon 

 content. 



In regard to the separation of organic phosphorus compounds of f eedstuffs, 

 G. FiNGERLiNO and A. Hecking (Biochem. Ztschr., 37 (1911), No. 5-6, pp. 

 452-Ji56) .—Stutzer's method (E. S. R., 20, p. 173) utilizes nitric acid for dis- 

 solving the precipitate obtained with calcium chlorid and ammonium hydroxid 

 and reprecipltates with molybdate. xVccording to the results of this work the 

 method can be employed only for the separation of inorganic phosphorus from 

 lecithin, casein, nuclein, and sodium nucleate, and not when phytiu is present. 



With appropi'iate modifications in the method it may be possible to extend 

 its use to the examination of plant materials containing phytiu. 



The determination of moisture content of beet seeds, H. Plahn (Centhl. 

 Zuckerindus., 19 (1911), No. ^6, pp. 15-^9, 1550, fig. 1; abs. in Chcm. A 6s., 6 

 (1912), No. 6, p. 812, fig. 1). — The usual method utilized for this purpose con- 

 sists of drying 5 gm. of the seed balls for at least 14 hours to constant weight. 

 This, however, does not include colloid water. If these samples are weighed 

 directly in the oveu, illustrated in the original article, the time of drying 

 can be reduced to from 5 to 6 hours. 



" Experimental work showed that the time could not be shortened by sub- 

 dividing the sample and heating higher, for some of the ' colloid water ' was 

 driven off. The decrease in weight of 5 gm. after 60 minutes was in pro- 

 portion to the amount of water in the sample. A "table was constructed, as the 

 average of a large number of determinations, showing the decrease in weight 

 after 30 minutes and GO minutes and the respective percentages of water. 

 The moisture content should be taken when constant weighings are first 

 observed, generally after 110 to 125 minutes, according to moisture content." 



A chemical-technical vade mecum for sugar refi.neries, A. Gboger (Chem- 

 isch-Technisches Vaclemekum fiir ZucTcerfahriken. Prerau, ■vols. 1, 1901, pp. 

 XVI+573; 2, 1906, pp. XV+3U; Brilnn, vol. 3, 1911, pp. X77+ 697). —This is a 

 digest of the literature pertaining to the chemo-technology of the sugar industry. 

 The literature from 1851 to 1910 is considered. 



The carbohydrate constituents of Para rubber; separation of 1-methyl- 

 inositol, S. S. Pickles and B. W. Whitfeild (Proc. Chem. Soc. London, 27 

 (1911), No. 383, p. 5.'i; Bui. Imp. Inst. [So. Kensington], 10 (1912), No. 1, pp. 

 25-27), — A sample of Para rubber was found to have a very liigh percentage of 



