SECT. III. STARCH. 



Carbon 43*55 



Oxygene 49-68 



Hydrogene. . , 6*77 



Total 100- 



This result is not very widely different from that 

 of the analysis of sugar, into which, it seems, starch 

 may be converted by diminishing the proportion of 

 its carbon, and increasing that of its oxygene and 

 hydrogene. This change is exemplified in the case 

 of the malting of Barley, which contains a great 

 proportion of Starch, and which absorbs during the 

 process a quantity of oxygene, and evolves a quantity 

 of carbonic acid and accordingly part of it is con- 

 verted into sugar. 



Perhaps it is exemplified also in the case of the 

 freezing of Potatoes, which acquire in consequence 

 a sweet and sugary taste, and are known to contain 

 a great deal of starch, which may be obtained as 

 follows : Let the Potatoes be taken and grated 

 down to a pulp, and the pulp placed upon a fine sieve, 

 and water made to pass through it ; the water will 

 be found to have carried off with it an infinite num- 

 ber of particles whiqh it will afterwards deposit in 

 the form of a fine powder separable by decantation, 

 which powder is starch possessing all the essential 

 properties of wheaten-starch. 



It may be obtained from the pith of several Sago. 



