Yan. 19, 1871] 

cane sugar, small pieces of the cane itself frequently 
occur in some descriptions of the latter. Of course it is 
impossible for them to be contained in loaf sugar, sugar- 
candy, or the finer kinds of sugar which undergoa careful 
process of purification. 
A great deal has been said about the adulteration of sugar 
with sand, powdered marble, bone-dust, &c., and these 
tales are readily believed in by many people; but it is 
very unlikely that such insoluble substances would be used, 
as they would be sure to be detected. We know that in- 
organic substances are present in sugar, but we are 
inclined to believe that they are traceable to the imperfect 
cleaning of the cane or to the accidents, if we may so call 
them, attendant upon the process of manufacture. 
Amongst the organic impurities often to be found in 
sugar, besides fragments of the cane before alluded to, 
are glucose or grape sugar, vegetable albumen, starch, 
minute fungi, and very frequently a number of small 
insects known as the sugar beetle (Acarus sacchar?). 
The first of these, grape sugar, we have before described 
as being distinct from cane sugar, though its composi- 
tion is nearly similar; as it is found most abundantly 
in grapes, whence its name; but it is also contained in 
various other fruits, as well in the dried state as in the 
fresh ; and, moreover, it can be produced by the action of 
dilute sulphuric or other mineral acids, on starch or 
woody fibre, and so, in short, can be mannfactured, which 
cane sugar cannot. It does not so readily crystallise as 
cane sugar, and the crystals are irregular, or have no 

MICROSCOPICAL APPEARANCE OF THE SUGAR INSECT (Acarus sacchari).— 
I, PERFECT INSECT.—2, OVA 
definite form. It is much more clammy in an ordinary 
way, and dissolves or runs to juice at the least possible 
moisture of the atmosphere to which it is exposed. It is 
of less sweetening power than cane sugar, and is much 
more liable to ferment, therefore its presence with cane 
sugar tends to lessen the value of the latter. _ i 
The purest form of cane sugar to be obtained is that 
known as “lump,” and for this reason it is always used in 
preserving fruit, as the chances of fermentation are thus 
diminished. Sugar-candy and all the large crystal or dry 
sugars are pretty sure to be free from glucose, because its 
presence would, according to the proportions, cause the 
sugar to be more or less clammy or moist. The presence 
of vegetable albumen and starch in cane-sugar is one step 
towards its conversion into grape sugar or glucose, and 
consequently increases its inclination to ferment. The 
removal of this vegetable albumen is one of the objects, as 
well as one of the difficulties, of perfect sugar refining. 
. The presence of minute fungi in sugar can only be 
detected by the aid of a microscope, but the sugar-beetle 
may be seen with an ordinary lens. ? 
We know of no better way of detecting it along with other 
impurities than one which has been before recommended, 
‘namely, to place a teaspoonful or two of sugar in a glass 
of tepid water, let it stand till the sugar has completely | 
NATURE 

231 

dissolved, when the insects will be found, some perhaps at 
the top of the water and others at the bottom amongst the 
sediment. It is supposed that this insect is the cause of 
the irritation of the skin, more especially of the hands, 
from which grocers and those who have the handling of 
sugar are said to suffer. 
Many other plants besides the sugar-cane and beet are 
used in their respective countries as sugar-producers, 
Thus, while we and our European neighbours receive our 
supplies from the two plants just alluded to, the chief 
sugar-producer in North America is a species of maple 
(Acer saccharinunt), a large forest-tree ; and in the East 
Indies several species of palms yield sugar. 
With regard to the effects of sugar upon the system, 
it is abundantly proved that it is most valuable. Nature 
has so provided that it shall be diffused not only 
in the sap of young and growing plants, but also in milk, 
the food of the young of all Mammalia. Though sugar 
may be considered as a force producer, it is much more 
adapted to the young than to the adult, for it is not capable 
by itself of producing muscle. 
JOHN R. JACKSON 


NOTES 
In addition to the details given this week of the Eclipse 
Expedition by Mr. Lockyer and Mr. Langley, we have received 
from Prof. W. G. Adams a report of the Agosta section of the 
Expedition, publication of which we are compelled to defer till 
next week. 
Ir is with great pleasure we hear of the appointment of the 
Rey. F. W. Farrar to the Headmastership of Marlborough 
College. This institution has already set an example to our other 
public schools in the cultivation of Natural Science, which will, 
we trust, receive a fresh impulse under the new headmastership. 
WE rejoice to hear that there is at last a chance of a large 
amount of scientific knowledge being required at the hands of 
naval and military officers. This is as it should be, and we 
earnestly hope that the long-needed reform will not stop here, 
Tue Austrian astronomers, MM. Weiss and Oppolzer, who 
went to Africa to observe the Eclipse, were, we regret to learn, 
as unfortunate as the other observers on that continent. 
AT a meeting of the Master and Senior Fellows of Caius 
College, held December 14, 1870, the following College order 
was passed :—‘‘ That until as many as forty shares of the College 
income are applied to the promotion of the Natural Sciences and_ 
Experimental Physics, a sum equal to the deficit (estimated at 
20/. a share) be taken from the balance for distribution, and paid 
to a fund called the ‘ Natural Science Fund.’ That the shares 
applied to any Fellowship or Scholarship awarded for proficiency 
in the Natural Sciences and Experimental Physics be counted 
as so applied. That the Natural Science Fund be applied solely 
to the promotion of tke study of Natural Sciences and Experi- 
mental Physics in any way whatever which, in the judgment of 
the College, may seem proper.” 
Tue Birmingham and Midland Institute has done equal honour 
to Professor Huxley and to itself, by electing him to the office of 
President, in succession to the late Charles Dickens. 
Dr. Woop has been appointed Lecturer on Chemistry at the 
St. Mary’s Hospital Medical School, in succession to Dr. Russell, 
transferred to St. Bartholomew’s. 
WE understand that Dr. Michael Foster and Mr, Watts are 
engaged in translating Kiihne’s ‘‘ Physiological Chemistry.” 
WE hope in succeeding numbers to give in full Dr. Carpenter's 
and Mr. Gwyn Jeffreys’s Report on Deep-sea Researches carried 
on during the months of July, August, and September 1870, in 
the Porcupine, recently read before the Royal Society. 
