REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. 79 



and secret process Tvhereby all fusel-oil and hartnfal impurities were re- 

 moved. A careful examination showed that the mysterious addition 

 was siruj), and it is very probable that No. 1 was made from a much 

 j)urer form of dilate spirit than was Xo. 2. The amount of solid residue 

 in No. 1 was entirely without precedent, and the iiqiLor could not prop- 

 erly be called whisky. 



The " gin " was a vile mixture of raw whisky with considerable oil of 

 junii)er and a little tannin. It became very turbid when diluted with 

 an equal volume of water. A veritable gin, properl}'- made by distilla- 

 tion, should become only slightly opalescent when so diluted. 



The brandy was a very line specimen that gave abundant evidence 

 that it was what all brandy should be, viz., distilled from pure grape- 

 wine. This sample possessed a " bouquet" and slight color (not due to 

 caramel) that gave evidence of considerable age, and also of skill ou the 

 part of the maker. 



ijviproyed geeen coffee berries. 



There were received from the Committee on Adulterations of the House 

 of Eepresentatives six samples each of natural cofiee berries, and of the 

 same berries after they had been " improved" by being faced with colored 

 powders. They also sent three powders, which it was claimed are used to 

 give color, weight, and increased market value to raw coflee. 



The composition of these powders was as follows : 



Orange Poavdee.— Chromate of lead ("chrome yellow"), 1 part; 

 sulphate of barium ("heavy spar"), 2 parts. 



Black Powder. — Consisted wholly of burnt bones ("crude bone 

 black"). 



• Olive-Green PowDER.—Chromate of lead ("chrome yellow"), 1 

 part; bone black, 2 parts; sulphate of barium ("heavy spar"), 3 parts. 



Both the natural and the faced berries were examined with the result 

 that every sample of the "improved" berries was found to have been 

 treated with some powder containing the same substances aw those in 

 the above olive-green powder. 



The amounts of foreign adulterants were — 



Per cent, 



No. 1 G8 



No. 2 19 



No. 3 03 



Per cent 



No. 4 64 



No. 5 m 



No. (5 58 



The "uncolored" berries were what was claimed for them, viz., free 

 from any adnlteration. 



There can be but little doubt that these added coloring matters must 

 prove injurious, and, probably, directly poisonous to the consumer. 

 Especially is chromate of lead liable to be changed by roasting, so that 

 its lead may be soluble in the acids of the stomach ; and it is well known 

 that soluble lead salts have a decidedly poisonous action. 



Laws should be made and vigorously enforced making the adultera- 

 tion of foods and medicines a criminal offense. Where life and health 

 are at stake no specious arguments should prevent the speedy punishment 

 of those unscrupulous men who are willing, for the sake of gain, to en- 

 danger the health of unsuspecting purchasers. 



AN EXAMINATION OF " TUCKAHOE." 



The name "Tuckahoe" is tliought to have been the Indian name for 

 bread. It is applied to a subterranean fungus which is found attached 

 to the roots of dead trees * in Virginia and others of our Soutliern 



* The National Dispeusatory, 1st. ed., p. 864, states that tuckalioe is usually attached 

 to the roots of fir trees, but it is not stated whether the trees are liviuf' or dead. 



