SPICES AND CONDIMENTS. 



233 



Three samples, which we have examined, gave the following results : 



4508. Whole mace, guaranteed. 



4509. Ground mace, guaranteed. 

 4535. Ground mace, Baltimore. 



4879. Ground mace, Baltimore, low grade. 



Analyses of mace. 



The percentages of volatile oil agree with the determinations of Fliick- 

 iger except in the sample ground from the whole nutmeg in our labora- 

 tory, which is deficient. The amount probably should always reach 8 per 

 cent, in good nutmegs. The resin found averages rather higher than 

 in Fliickiger's specimen, but the presence of so large an amount is cer- 

 tainly very characteristic of this spice, as well of the nutmeg itself, and 

 the presence of adulterants would, without doubt, unless skillfully pro- 

 vided for, be detected by the absence of more than 20 per cent, of this 

 extractive matter. 



Ko qualitative estimation was made of sugar and gum ; they were de- 

 tected qualitatively in small amounts, but from the determinations of 

 fiber and albuminoids it is evident that a large amount of extractive 

 matter not starch is present, and as Fliickiger found only about 3 per 

 cent, of substances soluble in alcohol and water and no starch, and as 

 the non-nitrogenous material removed by acids amounts to 35 per cent., 

 it is probably one of the numerous members of the cellulose group, re- 

 lated to gum or starch, which is contained in the parenchyma cells. In 

 the absence of adulterated specimens it is difficult to say what methods 

 of procedure should be taken for their detection ; but aside from the mi- 

 croscopical examination, which would readily reveal most adulterants, 

 the chemical characteristics seem to be so marked as to make the pres- 

 ence of any foreign substance evident in the results of analysis. 



