MANUFACTURE OF CARBIDE OP CALCIUM. 



135 



Absolute Alcohol. 



After filtering off the ether and drying, the marc was digested in 

 absolute alcohol. The portion soluble equalled 2 '4 per cent. 



Of this a portion equal to I'T per cent, was soluble in water. The 

 watery solution gave a greenish tint with ferrosoferric iron, indicating 

 tannin. The balance of the alcoholic residue was completely soluble in 

 2 per cent, ammonia; this was acidulated with acetic acid and di-ied 

 over a water bath, then washed on to a filter with water. The precipi- 

 tate dried and weighed equalled 0"3 per cent. 



The filtrate did not reduce Fehling's solution, but after boiling for 

 about an hour with a few drops of dilute sulphuric acid Fehling's 

 solution was reduced. 



The reaction with Fehling's solution was tried several times, at 

 intervals, without result until the final expeiument. 



As this solution gave no indication of tannin, it seems probable 

 that a glucoside exists in this plant. 



Water. 

 The marc previously treated with alcohol, Ac, was washed with 

 alcohol and dried, then treated with water, yielding on evaporation a 

 residue equal to 22 "9 per cent. 



This residue was not at all bitter, and gave no reaction, or only 

 the faintest, for tannin. 



Summary of RestUts. 



Petrol ether r85 



Consisting of resin r35 

 and impure wax. 



Ether 2-2 



A pale green amoi-phous substance. 



Alcohol 



Water 



(?) Alkaloid 

 Chlorophyll 



Tannin, Ac. 

 Phlobaphene 

 (?) Glucoside 



17 



0-5 



1-7 

 03 

 04 



Total in all solvents 



2-4 



22-9 

 29-35 



4.— LOCAL MANUFACTURE OF CARBIDE OF CALCIUM AND 

 CALCIUM CYANIMIDE. 



By E. KILBURN SCOTT, A.M. Inst., C.E., M.I.E.E. 



The amount of carbide of calcium imported into Australia during 

 recent yeai*s has shown a remarkable increase. For example, the 

 figures for 1904 to 1907 are as follows: — 



