1918.] AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY AGROTECHlSrY. 713 



artificial physiological solution of sodium chlorid and a 10 per cent blood emul- 

 sion. The flour to be examined is extracted with ether to remove the fat, and 

 the sapotoxins are subsequently extracted by the physiological salt solution. 

 The clear filtrate containing the sapotoxins is treated with 0.5 cc. of the blood 

 emulsion and the time of hemolysis noted. Using fresh ox blood, a content of 

 6 to 8 per cent of fennel produces hemolysis in 35 to 45 seconds, 2 per cent in 

 about 2 minutes, and 0.2 per cent after 2 hours. The author considers as 

 " frankly toxic " a flour which, under the experimental conditions noted, hemo- 

 lyzes within a minute ; as " injurious to the health " within 15 minutes ; and as 

 " dangerous " or " suspected " up to 2 hours. 



The rapidity of the hemolysis depends not only on the concentration of the 

 sapotoxins but also on the temperature of the reaction, the nature of the blood, 

 and the age of the blood emulsion. Diagrams are given showing the time of 

 hemolysis with pure saponins at a temperature of 17° C, and with extractions 

 of flour mixed with known proportions of fennel, using fresh ox blood for the 

 hemolysis. 



On the estimation of amino-acid nitrogen in the blood, S. Okada {Jour. 

 Biol. Chem., 33 (WIS), No. 2, pp. 325-331).— The author describes a modifica- 

 tion of Bock's process (E. S. R., 37, p. 14) for the removal of proteins in the Van 

 Slyke nitrous acid method for the determination of amino acids in blood. After 

 coagulation of the blood at boiling temperature in weakly acid solution, the 

 filtrate is thoroughly shaken with kaolin (20 gm. per 100 cc.) and immediately 

 filtered through a folded filter. The first portion of the filtrate is usually cloudy, 

 but on refiltering through the same filter a clear filtrate is obtained giving no 

 turbidity or precipitation with trichloroacetic acid or piciic acid and no biuret 

 action. The filtrate rarely exhibits any tendency to froth. 



Experimental data comparing the various methods of precipitation show no 

 appreciable differences in results between this method and the heat-trichloro- 

 acetic precipitation method of Bock, but the new method is recommended as being 

 " accurate, less troublesome, saving in time, and economical." 



A rapid colorimetric method for estimating: glucose in urine, V. I. Isaac- 

 »on {Jour. Lab. and Clin. Med., 3 {1918), No. 5, pp. 289-294, figs. 2).— In this 

 new method the amount of alkaline-copper sulphate solution reduced by the 

 glucose is computed indirectly by determining with the aid of a colorimeter the 

 amount left unreduced. The solutions used and methods employed are described 

 in detail. 



Italian turpentines, I-lll {Ann. R. 1st. Sup. Forestale Naz. Firense, 2 

 (1916-17), pp. 155-181, fig. 1 ; 182-189; 190-202; Ann. Chim. Appl. [Rome], 6 

 {1916), No. 5-8, pp. 135-153; 7 (1917), No. 1-4, pp. 88-94; ahs. in Chem. Abs., 

 n (1917), Nos. 1, pp. 97, 98; 12, pp. 1911, 1912).— Three studies are reported. 



I. Essential oil of turpentine of Pinus pinea, F. C. Palazzo. Extensive studies 

 are reported of the oil obtained from P. pinea with a view to its production and 

 commercial use. As is true of other varieties of the Pinus family a high per- 

 centage of a-pinene was obtained. The fraction distilling from 175 to 180° C. 

 was practically all Wimonene. Distillation of the oil gathered at different times 

 of the year showed a marked variation due partly to climatic conditions, the 

 largest amount of essence being obtained generally in April. 



The author emphasizes the value of this essence of turpentine as a new source 

 of Mimonene, which has a commercial use in the manufacture of artificial 

 ethers, perfumed soaps, and varnishes, and on account of its high solubility in 

 90 per cent alcohol, high inflammability, and pleasant odor. It is claimed that 

 it has a beneficent physiological action in cases of tuberculosis, and that its 

 continued inhalation does not cause headache, vertigo, nor kidney affections. 



