REPORT OF THE CHEMIST, 



101 



Maranta arMjj.tJinaceas.— Analysis No, 1, is the original by M. Benzon; No. 2 is the same caloulatedk to 

 13.20 per cent, of water. 



Analysis 0¥ sword bean. {Canavalia gUdiata, xav. ensiformis.) 



These beans were received from Mr. W. J. Donaldson, Georgetown, 

 S. 0., wlio reports that they grow readily, require only ordinary culture, 

 and yield prolifically, the i)roduct from twelve beans in the second crop 

 being sufficient to furnish seed for ten acres. Tlie results of an analysis 

 are appended ; the beans seem therefore to be good for food for animals 

 and probably for man. 



ConBtituents. 



Dry 

 beans. 



Water 



Ash 



Oils 



Substance resembling cane-sugar 



Gum 



Starch, by difierence 



Non-nitrojjenous extractive, soluble in alcohol and vrater 



Albuminoids, insoluble in water and soluble in 80 per cent, alcohol 



Albuminoids, soluble in water and alcohol coagulated by acid 



Albuminoids not included above 



Cellulose 



AN APPARATUS FOB CONTINUOUS PERCOLATION. 



The cut (see Plate VI) plainly shows the construction of the very 

 simple and efficient apparatus here used for the extraction of vegetable 

 substances with such volatile solvents as ether, alcohol, naphtha, chloro- 

 form, &c. 



This apparatus has been described by several German and American 

 chemists, but it has so many advantages over most forms that it is again 

 presented. In any convenient water-tight vessel is a worm of block-tin 

 pipe having an internal diameter of 9"^"^ and a length of about two to 

 tAvo and one-half meters. The lower part of this worm is fitted by an 

 ether-soaked velvet cork to a glass percolator having a diameter of 4'^°', 

 a length of 20<'« to the constriction and 5^"^ below. 



