102 



REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 



Proximate analyses of rice and ricc-ioasie. 



* A solution of the " •waste " •which •would have contained the sugar had any hcen present, did not 

 give a reaction iov glucose, but upon being digested 'srith dilute acid, itreduced Fehling's solution of 

 cupric oxide in a ratio equivalent to 1. 92 per cent, of sucrose in the air-dry material, or 2. 10 per cent, 

 in the ■water-free substance. 



ANALYSIS OF ZAMIA INTEGRIFOLIA. ("COONTIE.") 



A Specimen of tlie bulbous stem of this plant, from wMcli " Florida 

 arrow-root " is obtained, furnislied by Mr. W. H. Gleason and weigbing 

 a little less than ^ pound, was ground up without peeling and gave upon 

 analysis the following results. This stem was picked in April, at which 

 time it is sux)posed to contain a greater amount of starch than at any 

 other. 



An analysis of the corresponding portion of the Maranta ariindinacea — 

 from which "Bermuda arrow-root" is manufactured — by M. Benzon, is 

 given for comiiarison. 



There stUl remains to be examined the ether and alcohol extracts for a 

 poisonous body supposed to exist in the plant ; also the seeds of the 

 plant for a similar purpose. 



