ADULTERATION OF FOODS. 



429 



that adulteration prevails." And many of the substances, he added, em- 

 ployed in the adulterating process, were not only injurious to health, 

 but even poisonous. The investigations were conducted in the most 

 practical and business-like manner. Samples of the articles to be 

 analysed were purchased to the number of twenty or forty specimens 

 from different classes of traders; the powers of the microscope, as well 

 as other tests, were then brought to bear upon them, and a report was 

 drawn up embodying the general conclusions. The microscope seems 

 to have been the more effective instrument in the work. Less than 



fig. 206. 



Tea adulterated with foreign leaves. 



a, upper surface of leaf ; &, lower surface, showing cells ; c, chlorophylle cells ; d, elon- 

 gated cells found on the upper surface of the leaf in the course of the veins ; e, spiral 

 vessel ; /, cell of turmeric ; g, fragment of Prussian blue ; h, particles of white 

 powder, probably China clay : after Hassall. 



five years ago, for instance, it would, we are told, have been impos- 

 sible to detect the presence of chicory in coffee : in fact, the opinion of 

 three distinguished chemists was actually quoted in the House of Com- 

 mons to that effect ; whereas by the use of the microscope the differ- 

 ences of structure in these two substances, as in many other cases, can 

 be promptly discerned. Out of thirty-four samples of coffee purchased 

 at. the outset of the investigation, chicory was discovered in thirty-one; 

 chicory itself being also adulterated with all manner of compounds. 



