506 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol. 4S 



A method for the determination of taurin in muscles, Y. Okuda and K. 

 Sanada {Jour. Col. Ayr., Imp. Univ. Tokyo, 7 U'Jl'J), No. 1, pp. 77-cS'O ) .— The 

 niPthocl consists in first removing otlier sulpliur compounds such as proteins, 

 sulpliates, and, if necessary, cystin, from a water extract of the material by 

 successive treatment with acetic acid, basic lead acetate, sulphuric acid, phos- 

 photungstic acid (if cystin is present), barium hydroxid, and ammonium car- 

 bonate. In the final filtrate tlie sulphur is determined as barium sulphate and 

 the amount of taurin calculated by multiplying the weight of the sulpliate in 

 grams by 0.53.">S. 



Determinations by this method ai'e reported of tlie taurin content of the 

 muscles of certain varieties of fish, Mollusca, and Crustacea. Taurin was 

 found in varying amounts in all the muscles examined, the largest amounts 

 being found in Mollusca. 



The distribution of certain chemical constants of wood over its proxi- 

 mate constituents, W. H. Doke (Jour. Indus, and Enyin. Chem., 12 (1920), 

 No. 5, pp. Jf72-Jf76, fig. 1). — In continuation of the study at the California Ex- 

 periment Station of the proximate analysis of wood (E. S. R., 42, p. 614), 

 experiments have been conducted to determine the distribution of furfural- 

 yielding, acetic-yielding, and methoxy groups over the two chief proximate 

 groups cellulose and lignin, the experiments being confined to redwood sawdust. 



It was found that about half of the furfural-yielding groups are associated 

 with the cellulose, but only a small amount with the lignin. Tlie true pentosans 

 are hydrolyzed and removed during chlorination. 



The acetic-yielding groups were found to be partly associated with the 

 cellulose and slightly with the lignin, while a small amount is apparently 

 detached from either. The methoxy groups are wholl.y associated with the 

 lignin and may be" partially split off from it by acid hydrolysis. 



" In the summative analysis of coniferous woods, all of the acetic-yielding 

 and methoxy groups and part of the furfural-yielding groups may be disre- 

 garded as already accounted for in the cellulose and lignin. The furfural- 

 jlelding substances contained in the chlorination washings and representing 

 hydrolyzed pentosans should be estimated." 



The proximate analysis of coniferous woods, W. H. Dore {Jour. Indus, 

 and Engin. Chem., 12 {1920), No. 5, pp. Jf76-^79). — This paper considers in de- 

 tail certain modifications of the method proposed by the author for the proxi- 

 mate analysis of wood (El. S. R., 41, p. 14), considered advisable as the result 

 of the study noted above and a previous contribution (E. S. R., 42, p. 614). 

 Revised methods are given for the estimation in coniferous woods of the follow- 

 ing constituents : Loss on drying, benzene extract, alcohol extract, cellulose, 

 lignin, soluble pentosans, mannan, and galactan. 



Complete analyses of redwood, yellow pine, and sugar pine by these methods 

 are reported, in all of which a summation of slightly over 100 per cent was ob- 

 tained. The results are thought to indicate that overlapping of the proximate 

 groups has been largely avoided, and that the method acco\ints for all impor- 

 tant constituents. 



The true tanning value of vegetable tanning materials, J. A. AVilsox and 

 E. J. Kern {Jour. Indus, and Engin. Chon., 12 {1920), No. 5, pp. 465-.',69, figs. 

 S; also in Jour. Amer. Leather Chem. Assoc., 15 {1920), No. 5, pp. 295-308, figs. 

 S). — A new method of determining the true tanning value of vegetable tanning 

 materials is described which is considered by the author to be much more accu- 

 rate than the official method of the American Leather Chemists Association. 



The method differs from the official method in that after shaking the solution 

 of the tanning material with hide powder, the tanned powder is not discarded 

 but is washed free from soluble matter, dried, and analyzed for tannin as in 



