416 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol. 43 



Microchemical method for the deterniiuation of sugar in body fluids, 



R. GoiFFON and F. Nepveux {Compt. Rend. Soc. Biol. [Paris], 83 {1920), No. 5, 

 pp. 121-123). — The coloriraetric method described is said to be applicable to all 

 body liquids susceptible of containing traces of sugar, to the intestinal contents, 

 and to tlie study of aniylolytic digestion. • 



It consists briefly in reducing a small volume of the liquid with Feliling's * 

 solution, dissolving the washed precipitate of cuprous oxid in a few drops of 

 HCl, diluting with distilled water, adding a few drops of potassium ferro- 

 cyanid, and makiTig up to a definite volume of 50 cc, after which the color of 

 the colloidal solution is compared in a Duboscq colorimeter with a standard 

 solution prepared in the same way. 



Rapid methods for the determination of protein and sugar in urine, 

 E. Lenk (Ztschr. Angew. Chem., 30 (1917), No. 13, Aufsatzt., pp. 45-//8).— The 

 author states that the time required for an Elsbach determination of protein 

 in urine can be shortened to about 10 minutes by tbe use of a small amount 

 of powdered pumice stone, whicli causes rapid settling of the precipitate. A 

 similar saving of time can be effected in the determination of reducing sugar 

 by the addition of a magnesium salt. 



Note on the methods of determining urea in the blood, A. Slosse {Compt. 

 Rend. Soc. Biol [Paris], 82 {1919), No. 34, pp. U02-1404) .—Attention is called I 

 to some of the sources of error in the hypobromite method of determining the 

 urea content of blood. 



Technical application of hydrogen in hydrogenation or hardening of 

 oils, H. L. Barnitz {Chem. and Metall. Engin., 22 {1020), No. 16; pp. 745-748, 

 figs. 4). — This is a general discussion of the principles involved in the hydro- 11 

 genation of oils, the commercial application of the method to industrial and 

 edible oils, the technology of the process, and the apparatus employed. 



Acidity and inversion: Observations from Hawaiian practice on the 

 relation between them, R. C. Pitcairn {Facts About Sugar, 10 {1920), No. 19, 

 p. 370). — Attention is called, in cane sugar manufacture, to the danger of in- 

 version and consequent loss of sugar while boiling low-grade products such ;' 

 as molasses or massecuites. As a preventive the author suggests a i-egular 

 system of acidity control, covering as completely as possible the Various stages 

 from mixed juice to final molasses. 



The seeding method of graining sugar, H. E. Zxtkowski {Trans. Amer. 

 Inst. Chem. Engin., 11 {1918), pp. 81-87). — Previously noted from another 

 source (E. S. R., 40, p. 208). 



The manufacture of alcohol from sulphite waste liquor, R. H. McKee 

 {Trans. Amer. Inst. Chem. Engin., 11 {1918), pp. 55-63). — This is a brief de- 

 scription of a patented method of manufacturing alcohol from sulphite waste 

 liquor, which differs from previous methods in that the acid sulphite liquor 

 is not neutralized before the addition of the yeast. To offset the loss of 

 oxygen due to absorption by sulphur dioxid and sulphites in the acid solution, 

 the oxygen requirement of the yeast is met by causing air to bubble through 

 the solution during the fermentation period. 



METEOROLOGY. 



Periodicity in weather and crops {Nature [London], 105 {1920), No. 2638, 

 pp. 370, 371). — Brief reference is made to a lecture by Sir William Beveridge, 

 director of the London School of Economics and Political Science, on what he 

 claims to be a hitherto unrecognized periodicity in the weather and crops. 

 On the basis of historic records of poor harvests, Indian famines, tropical 

 droughts, and disastrous wet summers in higher latitudes, and also to a great 



