70 CHEMICAL DISCOVERY AND INVENTION 



1875. Doubtful samples requiring a more complete examination 

 than is possible by the inspectors are submitted to the laboratory. 



Of the total number of samples submitted, 1104, representing 

 256,603 pounds, were condemned as containing sand or other 

 foreign matter or as being on other grounds unfit for human 

 consumption. There was, however, no evidence in any case of 

 intentional adulteration. It is to be noted also that the quantity 

 rejected, while absolutely large, is quite insignificant in relation 

 to the total amount of tea imported, namely, 347 millions of 

 pounds. 



The rejected tea is allowed delivery duty-free for use in the 

 manufacture of caffeine or theine, the alkaloid which imparts to 

 tea and coffee their stimulating properties, and which is ex- 

 tracted for use as a drug. In such cases the tea has first to be 

 denatured under the supervision of Customs Officers to prevent 

 its possible use for human consumption, and samples both of the 

 denatured tea and of the denaturants used are submitted to the 

 laboratory for test to ensure that the process has been effectively 

 carried out. 



Coffee is liable to duty on importation and when exported or 

 supplied for use as ships' stores is entitled to an equivalent draw- 

 back when not mixed with chicory or other substances. 



The coffee substitutes examined in the course of the year 

 were of the usual character, consisting apart from chicory, of 

 caramel, roasted cereals, dandelion root, and figs. 



Formerly the number of samples of cocoa and of preparations 

 of cocoa examined in the laboratory was comparatively small 

 owing to the fact that these articles were subject to a fixed rate 

 of duty of 2d. per pound and no drawback was allowed. 



By the Finance Act of 1911 this fixed rate was replaced by 

 duties calculated upon the actual proportion of dutiable ingre- 

 dients (cocoa, sugar, and cocoa butter) contained in preparations 

 of cocoa. 



Under the Act known as the " White Phosphorus Matches 

 Prohibition Act, 1908," which came into force on the 1st of 

 January, 1910, 1665 samples were examined. 



In only three instances was white phosphorus found to be 

 present, and in these cases the consignments were refused 

 admission into the United Kingdom. 



Seventy-eight samples of medicines, or articles offered for 

 sale as medicines, were examined during the year in connection 



