CHEMISTRY. 7 



between the two titnitioiiH is tlu' lunount used by the nitrates in tlie water. The 

 pei'manganate sohition is standardized l)y means of standard solution of potassium 

 nitrate containing 0.0001 gm. of nitrogen per eul)ic centimeter." 



The determination of nitrogen, E. Durand {Ann. Chim. Analyt., 7 {1902), pp. 

 17, IS; (ths. ill CJiein. Cenllil. JOOJ, I, No. 9, p. 541). — The author uses a copper diges- 

 tion llask and employs coi)per sulphate or oxid instead of mercury. 



Contribution to the determination of nitrogen, A. Hebebrand {Zlschr. JJnter- 

 such. Xahr. u. GenussrntL, 5 {1902), pp. 61, 62, jigs. 2; abs. in Chem. Centhl., 1902, I, 

 Xo. 9, p. 541)- — A description is given of an Erlenmeyer flask with a U-tube blown 

 in its side which is recommended for the collection of the distillate in the Kjeldahl 

 process. 



A modified Argand burner for the first process in the Kjeldahl estimation 

 of nitrogen, J. Golding {Jour. Soc. Chem. Ind., SI {1902), No. 10, j). 694, fiff- 1)- — 

 "This is a simple device, consisting of a clip attached to a thin brass rod, the other 

 mil of which passes through a thicker njd, which screws into the foot of the Argand 

 l)urner. The clip supports the neck of the flask, the weight of which rests on a 

 pipeclay triangle; the rod is adjusted to the desired height by means of a screw in 

 the end of the thicker rod. The advantages of using these burners are: (1) That a 

 very low even heat can be obtained, thus enabling the determination of the nitrogen 

 in liquids and solids which have a tendency to froth Avith the strong sulphurii; acid; 

 (2) that a strong heat can be produced without danger of the flasks breaking; (3) that 

 tiic Imrners can l>e used for other purposes." 



On the Kjeldahl method, C. Neuberc; {Beitr. Cliem. I'lu/siol. u. Fath. Ztschr. 

 Jiioclicm., 2 {1902), No. 4, p- 214)- — The author proposes the use of sodium thiosul- 

 phate to break up mercury compounds before distillation. 



Inorganic ferments, D. McIntosh {Jour. Phys. Chem., 6 {1902), No. l,pp. 15- 

 44). — This is a study of the reducing action of colloidal silver and mercury on hydro- 

 gen peroxid. 



Provisional methods for the analysis of foods adopted by the Association 

 of Official Agricultural Chemists, November 14-16, 1901, edited ))y H. W. 

 Wiley and W. I). Bkjelow {U. S. Dcpt. Agr., Bureau of Chemistrg Bui. 65, pp. 169, 

 ligs. 7). — The bulletin is made up of the reports of the referee and his associates aa 

 amended and adopted provisionally by the association (E. S. R., 13, p. 411 ). Methods 

 are given for the examination of the following: Meat and meat products, by W. D. 

 i>igelow; edible oils and fats, by L. M. Tolman; dairy products, by J. A. Le Clerc; 

 infant and invalid foods, by H. W. Wiley; saccharine products, by A. E. Leach; canned 

 vegetables, by L. S. Munson; spices, by A. L. Winton; vinegar, by W. Frear; flavoring 

 extracts, by A. S. Mitchell; fruits and fruit products, by L. S. Munson and L. M. 

 Tohnan; fermented and distilled liquors, by W. D. Bigelow; baking powders and 

 baking-powder chemicals, by A. L. Winton; foo<l jireservatives, by W. M. Allen, and 

 coloring matter, by L. M. Tolman. Reference tables are added and an appendix 

 gives suggestions from numerous analysts which, though not adopted by the associa- 

 tion, were thought to be valual)le and worthy of consideration. 



Composition of nitrogen-free extract matter in potatoes, C. H. Jones and 

 B. (). White {Vermont Sla. Rpt. 1901, pj). 209-210). — Analyses of the nitrogen-free 

 extract matter of 32 composite samples of potatoes of the crop of 1898 and 41 samples 

 of the crop of 1899 are reported. Marketable and small potatoes of the White Star 

 and Delaware varieties were examined in 1898, and of the Delaware variety in 1899. 

 The potatoes were dug at different intervals during the growing season. The official 

 methods of analysis, with some modifications noted, were employed. The aqueous 

 extract was calculated as dextrin and soluble starch after allowing for the reducing 

 sugars present. Starch was inverted by treating with 5 cc. hydrochloric acid for 45 

 nunutes in a water bath at 90° C. Reducing sugars were present in small quantities 

 and showed considerable variations among individual samples. Dextrin and soluble 



5301— No. 1—02—2 



