H. E. ANNETT. 345 



that if basic nitrogenous compounds are present they also would 

 have an alkaline reaction. 



Juice A was known to be practically free from fermentation 

 and the small amount of free COo proves this. It corresponds to 

 juice IT (see page 341 of this memoir). C0 2 determinations were 

 carried out on 18th February 1912. when the direct reading 

 shewed but little change. 



Juice D corresponds to juice V on that page, and it is seen that 

 more change has gone on than in the case of juice A, and hence the 

 amount of carbonate would be expected to be less. The amount of 

 free CO., present points to fermentation. 



THE SUGARS OF THE PALM. 



An enquiry into the kinds of sugars in the wild date palm does 

 not appear to have been made. It has been assumed that they 

 are the same as those occurring in the cane. It appeared desirable 

 to make a thorough examination of the sugars present in order 

 to see whether or no this is the case. 



In the first place, experiments in the field shew that cane sugar 

 is the only sugar normally present in the sap as it runs from the tree. 

 By keeping the surface of a tree specially clean only the merest trace 

 of reducing sugar has been found in the juice certainly less than O'Ol 

 per cent. 



About 100 gms. of mixed Gnour and Akrah sugars were dissolved 

 in hot 80 per cent, alcohol and filtered. The filtered solution was 

 agitated for about an hour and then allowed to stand. After 2 days 

 numbers of fine crystals had formed, apparently cane sugar. The 

 crystals were dissolved in as small as possible a quantity of distilled 

 water and an excess of absolute alcohol added and again thoroughly 

 shaken for an hour. In a couple of days crystals had again formed. 



Some cane sugar, Cossipore 2nd white, was once recrystallised 

 by the same method. Both sugars were dried at 100C and exa- 

 mined as follows : 



