938 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Rapid analysis of butter, H. W. Charlton {Dairy, 18(1906), No. 208, p. 101).— 

 This method consists in separating the melted butter into two layers by means of a 

 centrifuge and observing the volume of each layer at 100° C. The percentage by 

 volume of the lower layer consisting of water, salt, and curd is considered practically 

 the same for normal butter as the percentage of water by weight. With abnormal 

 butter the method does not give the correct percentage of water by weight, but 

 indicates, according to the author, that there is something wrong. The author states 

 certain conditions that must be observed in the use of this method which is consid- 

 ered better than any partial gravimetric analysis for showing the relative value of 

 butter samples. 



Note on the method of silver indexes for the detection of cocoanut oil in 

 butter, F. Jean {Ami. Chim. Analyt., 11 (1906), No. 4, pp. 121-124).— -The author's 

 investigation leads him to conclude that the method of silver indexes (E. S. R., 17, 

 p. 834) may confirm the presence of cocoanut oil in butter, but that negative results 

 are not in all cases to be considered as invalidating results obtained by other 

 methods, especially by the method of Muntz and Coudon (E. S. R., 15, p. 850) when 

 the butter is adulterated with a mixture of different fats. 



Microscopy of vegetable foods and condiments, J. Moeller (Mikroskopie der 

 Nahrungs- and Genussmittel aus dem Pflanzenrdche. Berlin: Julius Springer, 1905, 2. 

 ed., pp. 599, figs. 599; rev. in Osterr. Chem. Ztg., 9 (1906), No. 5, p. 69).— This volume, 

 which describes the histological structure of foods and condiments of vegetable origin 

 with a view to their identification under the miscroscope, has been thoroughly 

 revised, and the author states that he has had the cooperation of A. L. Winton in 

 the work. 



The quantitative estimation of the lecithans, W. Koch and H. S. Woods 

 (Jour. Biol. Chem., 1 (1906), No. 2-3, pp. 203-211).— U 'sing methods which are 

 described, lecithins and kephalins were determined in a number of samples of 

 muscle of different sorts, submaxillary glands, pancreas glands, testicles, lung, kid- 

 ney, liver, white and yolk of egg, mothers' milk, cows' milk, bread, etc. 



The identification of horse and colt flesh by means of its glycogen content, 

 M. Martin (Ztsehr. Untersuch. Nahr. a. Genussmtl., 11 (1906), No. 5, pp. 249-266).— 

 A comparison of different methods of estimating glycogen was undertaken with a 

 view to devising a means of identifying horse flesh in sausage and other food prod- 

 ucts, and a number of determinations of the glycogen content of different sorts of 

 flesh were made. According to the author, horse flesh in sausage may be detected 

 by determining the glycogen content, and Pfliiger's method is best suited for the 

 purpose. 



Sulphate and sulphur determinations, O. Folin (Jour. Biol. Chem., 1 (1906), 

 No. 2-3, pp. 131-159). — Methods of determining sulphur were studied and modifica- 

 tions and precautions suggested which the author considers necessary to insure 

 accuracy, the investigations as a whole being carried on with reference to the deter- 

 mination of different sorts of sulphur in urine. 



The method for determining inorganic sulphates is as follows: Add 5 per cent 

 barium-chlorid solution, drop by drop, preferably by means of an automatic dropper, 

 to 25 cc. of urine diluted with about 100 cc. of water and acidulated with 10 cc. of 

 dilute hydrochloric acid. The solution must not be shaken, stirred, or otherwise 

 disturbed while the barium chlorid is being added. At the end of an hour or later 

 shake and filter through a Gooch crucible. Wash the precipitate with about 250 cc. 

 of cold water, dry, and ignite. 



Methods are also given for total sulphates, ethereal sulphates, and total sulphur. 



Bluestone and formalin, T. Macfarlane (Lab. Inland Rev. Dept. [Canada'] Bui. 

 115, pp. 6).— Analyses of 23 samples of copper sulphate and 11 of formalin are 

 reported Six of the samples of copper sulphate were adulterated or inferior in 

 quality and 1 sample of formalin showed only 25.6 per cent of formaldehyde. 



