
TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 43 
that agent which might remain. Dr.-Scoffern effects this separation by means of 
sulphurous acid forced by mechanical means into the sugar solutions. The process 
had been used for more than twelve months in one of the large British refineries, 
and a lump of sugar prepared by means of the operation was exhibited. 
The advantages presented by this operation were thus summed up:— 
1. As applied to cane-juice, and other natural juices containing sugar, it enables 
the whole of the latter to be extracted, instead of one-third, as is now the case, and 
in the condition of perfect whiteness, if desired, without the employment of animal 
charcoal, Owing to the complete separation of impurities, the juice throws up no 
scum when boiled, and therefore involves no labour of skimming. Finally, the pro- 
cess of curing is effected in less than one-third of the present time; and the sugar 
being in all cases pure and dry, no loss in weight occurs during the voyage home. 
2. As applied to the refinery operation, it enables the manufacturer to work upon 
staples of such impurity that he could not use them on the old process. It yields 
from these staples a produce equal in quality to the best refined sugars produced 
heretofore, in larger quantity and in less time. It banishes the operation of scum 
pressing, the employment of blood and lime. Finally, its cost is even less than that 
of the present refinery process. 
‘On the Composition of the Ash of Armeria maritima, grown in different Locali- 
ties, and Remarks on the Geographical Distribution of that Plant, and the 
Presence of Fluorine in Plants. By Dr. A. Vaucxner. 
The presence of icdine in plants growing near the sea, and the absence of that ele- 
ment in the same species of plants growing in inland situations, have been noticed 
some years ago by Dr. Dickie of Aberdeen, who likewise found that in the former 
soda was more abundant, and potash prevailed in the latter. The author found Dr, 
Dickie’s observations confirmed by his own, and no qualitative analyses of the sea- 
pink (Armeria maritima) having been made, he analysed the ashes of specimens from 
three different localities, and cbtained the following results (the carbonic acid and 
sand found byactual experiment having been deducted, the result calculated for 100):— 



No. I, No. II. No. I1I. 
Bothy is sertapeeeates civ awetdeas 8°86 8°85 13:81 
Bada) sites deserves Baths hDhanweas « 4:47 oT ee re 
Chloride of potassium ......... Beats 8:22 26°65 
Chloride of sodium ............ 24:03 1 ee oe ae 
Lime ,..c.cccseseeces A babiavehaye ae 13°50 14:44 9:12 
Magnesia ............ Bescpthas «. 10:98 11:95 4:28 
Oxide of iron .....ceeeeseeeeees 7:92 6°83 6:62 
ALUMINA cecceccsccecenceees are Le Ae eee artic 
Phosphoric acid .......e00060. 5°77 11:75 21:07 
Sulphuric acid .....+...2c0ese00 7:92 8 68 7:33 
Silicic acid ....,...seseseecesees 14°58 10°84 11:12 
Todine ......sceeeereee tthe Mp COR. Sed ew an< Sits satis 
Fluorine ........ bee based oe . Traces. Traces. Traces. 
100-00 100:00 100-00 
No. T. was grown near the sea-shore, and washed by the sea-spray at high water. 
No. II. was grown on an elevated granitic rock opposite the former locality, 
No. III. in Mr. Lawson’s nursery near Edinburgh. 
Several observations are suggested by the inspection of the above results :— 
1. The proportion of alkaline chlorides, as well as that of silica, in all three ashes 
is considerable. 
_ 2. The quantity of soda is more abundant in the ash of specimens grown near the 
sea-shore, whilst potash prevails in those grown on the rock. 
3. Soda is entirely replaced in the ash of Armeria maritima grown in the nursery. 
4. The larger quantity of phosphoric acid and potash in the ash of specimens grown 
- in the nursery, viewed in connection with the greater vigour and the somewhat changed 
natural character of the cultivated plant, appears to exercise a great influence on the 
natural character of Armeria maritima, 


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