502 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOED. 



were obtained: 99.9 per cent and 92.43 per cent of the cholesterol taken was 

 recovered. When hydrochloric acid was used to neutralize the excess of sodium 

 ethylate, the results were still less satisfactory, 64.34 to 89.1 per cent of the 

 cholesterol taken being recovered. The gravimetric determination as choles- 

 teryl benzoate is not quantitative; only 24.29 to 61.79 (average 42.86 per cent) 

 of the cholesterol taken was recovered. The gravimetric determination of 

 cholesterol as the free alcohol by Cappenberg's method gave excellent dupli- 

 cates; 94.47 and 94.37 per cent of the cholesterol taken was recovered. The 

 gravimetric determination of cholesterol as digitonin cholesterid was the most 

 accurate and most satisfactory of the methods studied. From 93.63 to 103.02, 

 average 97.37 per cent, of the cholesterol taken was recovered." 



Biochemical synthesis of g-lucosids from polyhydric alcoliols: Glucosids 

 from g-lycerol and glycol, E. Bourquelot and M. Bridel {Compt. Rend. Acad. 

 Sd. [Paris'], 157 {1913), Xo. S, pv. J,05-.'i08).—X report of a study of the pro- 

 duction of glucosids from glycol and glycerol. The reaction proceeds more 

 quickly with the former. The synthesizing enzym came from bottom fermenta- 

 tion yeast. 



On the nature of the sugars found in the tubers of arrowhead, K. Miyake 

 {Jour. Biol. Chem., 15 {WIS), No. 2, pp. 221-229) .—Thi^ paper embodies the 

 results of a study on the nature of the sugars found in arrowhead tubers 

 {Sagittaria sagittifoUa forma sinensis), and forms a part of an investigation 

 on the sugars contained in the underground reserve organs of plants. The re- 

 ducing sugars present in arrowhead tubers were found to consist of both glu- 

 cose and fructose. It was not definitely decided whether or not galactose was 

 present. A nonreducing sugar believed to be raffinose was found, but maltose, 

 pentose, and mannose, free or combined, were not noted. 



The starch content of cassava roots, A. W. K. de Jong {Dept. Landl)., Nijv. 

 en Handel [Dutch East Indies], Meded. Agr. Chem. Lah., No. 5 {1913), pp. 

 18). — ^A study of the composition of cassava roots. Although a high specific 

 gravity of the root may indicate a high starch content, it has been found that 

 this is not always true. More accurate figures were obtained from the deter- 

 mination of the total solids. 



Uotes on the chemical nature of the " tannin masses " in the fruit of the 

 persimmon, E. D. Clark {Biochem. Bui. 2 {1913), No. 7, pp. 4i2-^iS).—" Tan- 

 nin masses from the fruit of the persimmon, by hydrolysis with weak acid or 

 alkali, yield tannin, phloroglucinol, and considerable insoluble colloidal residue. 

 Hydrolysis of such tannin masses does not produce hexose or pentose. 



" The nature of the union between the tannin and phloroglucinol is unknown, 

 but it is probably similar to that of the phloroglucin-tannoids in various plants. 



" The colloidal residue that resists hydrolysis seems to be a cellulose-like sub- 

 stance which readily forms gelatinous masses with water or alkaline solutions. 

 Quantitative studies on large amounts of this third substance are desirable. 



" In the presence of phloroglucinol, the ferric chlorid test for tannin is un- 

 reliable. 



"A study of the conditions necessary for the formation, and also the hydroly- 

 sis, of the phloroglucinol-tannin combination might help to explain the nature 

 of the ripening process in persimmons." 



See also previous notes by Lloyd (E. S. R., 25, p. 28; 26, p. 564.) 



The occurrence of barium in tobacco and other plants, J. S. McHargue 

 {Jour. Amer, Chem. Soc, 35 {1913), No. 6, pp. 826-834).— The presence of 

 barium was noted in the leaves, base, stalks, and roots of tobacco plants gathered 

 in 1910, 1911, and 1912. The amount found in the dry leaves was on the aver- 

 age in 7 samples 0.0399 per cent as barium sulphate (maximum 0.074, minimum 

 0.0096 per cent) ; in the stalk the average for 8 samples was 0.0396 per cent 



