836 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The average pentosan content of Sea Island cottim-seed meal of tiie crops of 1897 

 and 1898 determined by both methods was 12.92 j)er cent. "From tliis work we see 

 that the pentosans are widely distributed in the Sea Island cotton plant and all its 

 parts and products. The average amount present varies from 1.53 per cent in the 

 lint up to 21.88 per cent in the hulls. From their wide distribution it is highly 

 important that the pentosans should always be determined in all jiroximate analyses." 

 The work of others is summarized to show that these bodies apparently luive a 

 slightly less food value and lower digestibility than the other well-known and 

 commonly occurring constituents of the nitrogen-free extract. "In conclusion, it 

 appears from the close relation existing between the pentosan and crude-liber con- 

 tent that the true function of the pentosans in the plant economy is the formation 

 of the cell membrane, as Stoklasa [E. S. R., 11, p. 121] has already observed." 



Solutions for testing cream and milk, J. B. Weems and C. E. Gray {lova 

 >St((. llnl. in, pp. 266-27'2). — Standard solutions for testing milk and cream, prepared 

 from commercial alkaline tablets, according to the directions accompanying them, 

 were found to have strengths from 12.4 to 14.3 per cent greater than a tentii-normal 

 solution. Exposure of the tablets for about 6 months reduced these figures nearly 

 10 percent. Solutions repeatedly frozen and completely thawed did not change in 

 strength. The use of the liquid portion of a partly frozen solution was found to give 

 inaccurate results. Exposure of a standard solution in an open vessel reduced its 

 strength one-third in 5 days. Limewater prepared from either pure or common 

 lime at 66° F. had a strength equal to 0.45 percent of a tenth-normal solution. Sug- 

 gestions are given as to the use of standard solutions, the preparation of tenth-normal 

 from normal solutions, and the preparation of a solution of phenolphthalein for use 

 as an indicator. 



On the determination of moisture in honey, F. T. Shutt and A. T. Charkon 

 {Traiix. Roil. Sue. Oinnila, 2. ser., S {i;i02-3), III, pp. 35-46, pi. 1). — Several methods 

 of determining moisture in honey were compared, with conclusions substantially as 

 follows: "In drying a solution of honey in glass tubes on asbestos, a temperature of 

 98° G. at atmospheric pressure induces a considerable and continuous dehydration 

 of the levulose, resulting in an apparent loss of moisture far exceeding the real 

 amount present. Drying in glass tubes on asbestos at atmospheric pressure between 

 70 and 75° also occasions a decomposition of the levulose of the honey. . . . Dry- 

 ing in platinum dishes on sand in a partial vacuum (Sin.) at a temj^erature of 60 

 to 70° for 24 to 48 hours, yields results in close accord with those calculated from 

 the specific gravity determinations. A more prolonged drying is undesirable, as 

 such appears to induce a slight decomposition of the levulose. Drying on asbestos 

 yields much higher results than drying on sand. This, apparently, is as true at 60° 

 as at 70°, and indicates a peculiar property or quality of the asbestos in inducing 

 decomposition of the levulose. There were no differences of note between the 

 results from drying in round and flat bottom platinum dishes." Similar determina- 

 tions were made on solutions of levulose and dextrose, the results agreeing very well 

 on the whole with those obtained on solutions of honey. 



Some notes concerning Halphen's test for cotton-seed oil, E. Fulmer [Jour. 

 Amir. CJicin. Soc, 24 {1002), Xo. 12, pp. 11.^8-11.55). — The reaction was found to l)e 

 greatly diminished in intensity by heating the oil to 220 to 240° G. and negative in 

 oil heated to 260 to 270° G. Lard from pigs fed cotton-seed meal showed an inten- 

 sity of coloration by this test equivalent to several per cent of cotton-seed oil. 



lodin absorption of oils and fats, L. M. Tolman and L. S. Munson {Jour. 

 Amer. Chem. Soc, 25 {1903), No. 3, pp. ^4.^-;g5i).— Previously noted (E. S. R., 14, 

 p. 523). 



Does cholesterol occur in maize oil? A. II. Gill and C. G. Tufts (Jour. 

 Amer. Chem. Soc, 25 {1903), No. 3, p>p. 251-254).— ^re\ious]y noted (E. S. R., 14, 

 p. 523). 



