roy 
eS - Soientif re ntellienci. 
and then allowed ‘to remain for several hours at about 212°, gave off 
large quantities of formic and carbonic acids. The nearly colorless - 
syrup cooled to a transparent mass, soluble in alcohol of 0:83, in which 
mannite is a insoluble. The solution soon decomposes into formic 
acid and mannite. No true salts would be formed, but the compound 
was found . be one equiv. of formic acid and one ‘of mannite estima-  - ~ 
ted at C, 
cusses the analysis of Strecker, and agrees with him that it is sex-ni- 
trated, its formula will then be C,, H, O,.+6NO,. The reduction 
by metals and by sulphuret of ammonium is so unlike that of ordinary 
nitric compounds, that Dr. Knop brings it as a proof, that nitric acid is 
- contained as such, and not as hyponitric acid. It must be remembered ~ 
however, that chemists do not generally consider that hyponitric acid 
_ as such, is contained in these compounds. ‘ 
or the — of explosive mannite the process of Stenhouse 
is said to be est. annite is to be dissolved in very cold fu- 
ming nitric ma in the proportion of half an ounce to 2 ounces of acid— 
cold | sulphuric acid is then added, until white grains cease to deposite. 
The mixture to be poured into a large quantity of water—the crude 
product dissolved in boiling alcohol and again poured into a quantity of 
cold water—after some time the mannit and may be filtered and © 
washed. G. C. ScHaEFFER. 
On Dulcose, a Sage oa of Grape Sugar; by A. Laurent, 
(Comptes Rendus, Ja -)—This is a new sugar from Madagascar, 
of uncertain origin. ae fusion its formula is C,, H,, O24; differing 
from grape sugar by C, H,. When dissolved, it takes up 3 equiva- 
lents of water. A vrphitinied compound has been obtained with 4 
the action:of nitric ecid on dulcose, mucic acid is formed. This 
sugar, which has but a slightly sweetish taste, is said to be without ac- 
house, from certain lichen, may, on the supposition of a slight error in 
the analysis, be considered as a sai ue of mannite, which it re- 
sembles in its properties. This view however, would make the com- 
pounds with nitric acid, eh saw of quinqui- met as stated by 
Dr. meee: Since the disvovery of Strecker that e mannite is 
ry, while it gives sAditiousd ciabaintien n, if any were needed, to the 
views of MM. Gerhardt and Laurent on this subject. It is possible that 
some of the known varieties of sugar, may, on more careful emia 
tion, prove additional examples of homologues. - C. Ss 
Among other recent aint pt in connection with the sities of 
sugar we may mention the follow ing :— 
. Sugar in the Liver.—Bequarp and BarrEswILt have demonstra- 
ted the presence of sugar in the liver of animals, even where saccharine 
Cr amylseeous food forme ne no partof their diet. It is found in no other 
organ. a @: ©. S. 
H, : 
e author in his first paper points out the nitric mannite as most 
saints for determining the atomic weight. In his second paper he dis- ©. 
2: 
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