REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. 91 



a properly constituted commission, which should visit the localities wheue 

 the loss of animals has been greatest, inquire thoroughly into the matter, 

 and gather specimens at different stages of development for analysis. 

 The sum necessary for this investigation would be small in comparison 

 with, the benefits to be derived. 



EXAMINATION OP MALVASTRUM COCCINEUM. 



Received from Francis A. Wintz, Kinsley, Kansas. 



Moisture -. 9.737 



Ash, solnljle in water - ?>. 1^44 



Ash, solnljle in acid 5.203 



Ash, insoluble in acid 2.270 



10.877 



Ether extract: 



a. Insoluble in gasoline: 



Tannin 3r.4 



White wax 114 



Chlorophyl 153 



. C'26 



l. Soluble in gasoline : 



Rciina 1.496 



Resin & 1.484 



Soft fat 1.506 



Volatile oil and loss 050 



4.536 



5.162 



80 per cent. Alchol extract : 



a. Soluble in water : 

 Tannin, sugars and extractives 8. 500 



J). Insoluble in water : 

 Resin o and color 1. 114 



9. G14 



Water extract : 



Gum 8.260 



Acid extract, starch isomers by titration 16.320 



Alkali extract, by difference 15.947 



Albuminoids, total nitrogen X 6.25 12.513 



Crude fiber.... , 11.570 



100. 000 



This plant contained no alkaloid nor any bitter substance ; the only 

 possibly poisonous substances are the resins, and the chances are not 

 greatly in favor of their being injurious. 



It seems veiy doubtful whether this herb is at all poisonous in the 

 dried condition; possibly drying may render it thus inert. 



THE IMPORTAKCB OF CAREFULLY SELECTED SEED. 



In the report of this department for 1878, page 121 and following, are 

 presented ibr consideration under the above heading some facts, witU 

 the ]u^omise that in a future report the result of some field experiments 

 bearing upon the same subject v.'ould be given. 



A summary of the results given in The report for 18J8 is here given 

 for convenience. The seeds taken for this puqiose were such as, from 

 their size, could readily be picked over one by one, and comprised the 

 following : three specimens each of maize, pease, and beans. 



These seeds were taken from the stores in the de})artnient, and there is 

 no doubt that tlie percentage of vitality was almost, if not quite, 100. 



One quart of each variety was taken, and by carefid picking was 

 divided into thirds, as follows: first, the best third was selected, then 

 the poorest half of the remainder, and the middle third remained. 



tl])0u v/eighing a given bulk (one-quarter liter) of the best and jioor- 

 est thiids, there vrere found but slight differences in weight, showing 



