EXAMINATION OF THE BEET. 83 



These are principally to be found in the upper portion 

 of the root near the neck, the most important being- 

 the sulphates of lime and potassa. The pliospliaies 

 are of potassa, magnesia, and lime. 



We now have the chlorides. For many years it was 

 thought that the existence of these would prevent, to 

 a certain extent, the formation of sugar, but it has 

 been generally decided that this was an error. These 

 are principally to be found in the upper portion of the 

 root ; the most important we may mention are chloride 

 of potassium, chloride of sodium, and hydrochlorate of 

 ammonia. Of late Dubrunfaut tells us that beets 

 contain a certain amount of silica and sulphur, also 

 copper, rubidium, and ca?sium. Comparatively few of 

 all the above can be detected by chemical analysis. 

 We have no doubt that hundi*eds of other chemical 

 compounds or elements will in time l)e discovered. 



The total chemical composition varies with thousands 

 of circumstances. To give any seems to a certain de- 

 gree absurd, but the analysis made by Payen some 

 years ago seems to have held its own, and is as fol- 

 lows : — 



Water . 83.5 



Sugar. ........ 10.5 



Cellulose, pectose, pectine 0.8 



Alliumine, asparagine, and other neutral nitric 

 elements, malic acid, pectic acid, gums, fatty 

 substances, chlorophylle, oxalate and phos- 

 phate of lime, etc 3.t 



100.00 



