337 



Dr. C. T. Jackson exhibited a sample of Crystallized 

 Sugar, which he said was Cane Sugar, manufactured from 

 the Chinese Sugar Cane, by Mr. Joseph S. Lovering, of 

 Philadelphia, and read extracts from a pamphlet upon 

 the subject, giving some of the details in the processes 

 employed and results obtained. 



Dr. A. A. Hayes said that neither the crystalline forms nor the 

 action of the polariscope are to be relied upon in distinguishing 

 the varieties of sugar. He considei*ed the crystalline forms of the 

 Sorghum sugars, and likewise that of honey sugar to be identical. 

 He was not aware that glucose crystallized in the cubic system. 

 The chemical properties of the sugars, he believed to be the only 

 distinct proof of the several varieties. 



Dr. Jackson replied that it was distinctly stated, in several 

 chemical works of authority, that cane sugar and glucose crystal- 

 lize in different systems. 



Dr. C. T. Jackson presented, in the name of T. Glover, 

 Esq., a specimen of a Parasitic Plant growing upon the 

 body of a common Fly found upon a pear-tree. Mr. C. 

 J. Sprague said that it was an immature specimen of 

 one of the species of Cordiceps. 



Dr. Jackson presented samples of the Earth Almond of 

 Spain, Cyperus esculentus, which were raised in Wash- 

 ington. They contain a large amount of starch, and are 

 good food for swine, turkeys, and other domestic ani- 

 mals. They grow well in sandy soils. 



Dr. Jackson also exhibited a Chinese Yam, Dioscorea 

 batatas. It contains a peculiar ropy mucilage, which is 

 neither arabine nor dextrine ; it dissolves in water and 

 starch precipitates it.. The specimen contained 80.52 per 

 cent, of water. The amount of ligneous fibre is quite 

 small, differing, in this respect, from the West Indian 

 Yam. 



Mr. Charles Stodder read a communication from Mr. 



PROCEEDINGS B. S. N. H. — VOL. VI. 22 APRIL, 1858. 



