6X2 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



siipir solution and 30 cf. of FeUlin.t,'"s solution are placed in a 150 ce. Erlen- 

 nieyer flask and diluted to a bulk of 100 cc. A stream of hydrogen is then 

 passed through the solution for 20 minuies, during which the solution is heated 

 on a boiling water bath. The cuprous oxid thus formed is then filtered into a 

 Soxhlet tube, carefully washed with water, alcohol and ether and converted into 

 the cupric state. 



For hydrolyzing the milk sugar 50 cc. of a 1 per cent solution is taken, 1 cc. 

 of concentrated sulphuric acid added, in a 250 cc. graduated flask, and the 

 whole i)laced for 4 hours on the boiling water bath, cooled to room temperature, 

 neutralized, and filled up to the graduation. For the analysis 30 cc. is em- 

 ployed. A table for the calculation concludes the article. 



A method for the determination of the caramel content of sug'ar, Ehrlich 

 {Ztschr. Ver. Deiit. Zuckcrindus., 1009, No. 6'i3, II, pi). 77/6-753).— A coloring 

 material termed " saccharan " which simulates the substances included under 

 the geuex-al heading of "caramel," and which may be used as the standard 

 for color determinations, was prepared by heating cane sugar in a Jena flask on 

 an oil bath at 200° C. in vacuum and purifying. The substance obtained is a 

 dark brown, homogeneous hard mass, soluble in water, and at a concentration 

 of 1 to 10.000 gives an intensely dark brown solution. A kindred substance 

 was obtained from maltose, but not from dextrose or fructose, even though 

 these were together. 



In the method proposed a 0.1 per cent saccharin solution in a 20 mm. polari- 

 scope tube on the glass iilate side of a reconstructed Stammer color instrument 

 is used. 



A new color reaction for cholesterin, D. Ottolenghi (Ric. Lab. Chim. Agr. 

 R. Scuola Sup. Agr. Milano, 3 (1908), pp. 81-85). — When a small fragment of 

 cholesterin is dissolved in 1.5 cc. of alcohol, and 1 to 2 drops of a solution of 5 

 methyl-furfurol is added, and then an equal volume of strong sulphuric acid, a 

 red color appears at the junction of the two liquids. The method is specific for 

 cholesterin as far as such bodies like phytosterin are concerned. 



The Bellier reaction for plant oils, A. Olig and E. Brust (Ztschr, Unter- 

 sucli. NaJir. u. GctiussmtL, 11 (1909), No. 10, pp. 561-584). — The substances used 

 wei'e various kinds of poppy oil, cotton-sesame oil, stearin-sesame oil, sesame 

 oil, corn oil, beet oil, cotton-seed oil, olive oil, cocoa fat, palm fat, and palm-seed 

 fat, as well as an edible linseed oil. The general tests were made and, further, 

 the degree of sensitiveness determined. 



The Bellier test has been found to be well suited as a preliminary test. Like 

 the Welmans test it represents a general test for all plant oils, but it is more 

 sensitive and appears about 30 seconds sooner. The test is furthermore useful 

 to detect additions of oleomargarine, tallow, etc., but it is probable that oils 

 which have been so treated as not to change their external appearance render 

 the reaction inactive. The authors recommend that the phytosterin test be 

 carried on in conjunction with the Bellier method. 



Oificial methods of food analysis, February, 1909 (Methodes Offlcielles 

 pour VAnalyse des Denrees AJimentaires, Fevrier, 1909. Paris: Ann. Falsif., 

 1909, pp. 82). — The methods of analysis for the various foods are given in 

 detail, with specific directions to the analyst for sampling, and for the interpre- 

 tation and reporting of results. For many of the foods attention is called to 

 the adulterations more commonly .encountered. 



The new legislation in regard to the adulteration and sale of foods and 

 agricultural products, V. Richard (La Nouvelle Legislation sur la Repression 

 des Fraudes dans la Vente des Marchandises et des Falsifications des Denrees 

 Alimentaires et des Froduits Agricoles. Paris, 1908, pp. 11+270). — A compila- 

 tion of data as to the economic, social, historical, and legal aspects of the fraudu- 



