254 SUGAR. 



I will finish this notice of cane sugar with some descrip- 

 tion of the processes used to obtain it from natural juices, 

 also with some details of the process of refining : it will be 

 the merest sketch. First, then, in regard to cane juice, it is 

 first heated with lime, to coagulate much foreign matter that, 

 forming on the surface in a crust, is skimmed off. It is then 

 evaporated in a series of pans to such a condition of thickness, 

 that when set aside crystals form in masses, with fluid matter 

 between. The moist crystals, being allowed to drain, yield a 

 liquid that, when flavoured with the rats and mice, the cock- 

 roaches and centipedes, which get into it, is known under the 

 name of molasses. 



Treacle and molasses are sometimes confounded; never- 

 theless there is a certain difference between them one more 

 of flavour than anything else. As the process of sugar crystal- 

 lisation in the colonies yields a liquid, so does the process of 

 refinery crystallisation at home. In either case the liquid 

 drains away ; and divers living things, ready to court certain 

 death in gratification of a sweet taste, step in and are done 

 for. There are no scorpions in England no centipedes, no 

 giant cockroaches, as in the West Indies. Treacle, therefore, 

 lacks their flavour ; but as a set-off, acquires a smack of pu- 

 trid blood mingled with the extractive of black-beetles. Here- 

 in consists the chief difference between treacle and molasses. 



As regards refining specially considered, it mainly turns 

 upon the washing of yellow sugar white by means of a satu- 

 rated solution of white sugar poured upon it. In India alcohol 



existimem : enimvero concretum istud sale satis acri et corrosive, cum sul- 

 phure tamen delinito, constat, pro lit ex analysi ejus spagirick facta, liquido 

 patet. Quippe saccharum per se distillatum, exhibet liquorem aqua stygia 

 vix inferiorem : quod si ipsum in vesica plurima aqua fontana perfusim 

 distillaveris, quamvis sal fixus non ade5 ascendere prodibit, tamen liquor 

 instar aquas vitse acerrimae urens ac summe pungitivus. Cum itaque sac- 

 charum quibusvis fere alimentis mixtum ita copiose a nobis assumitur 

 quam verisiinile est ab ejus usu quotidiano, sanguinem et humores salsos et 

 acres proindeque scorbuticos reddi.' 



