The Royal Society of Canada. 425 



both of improved manipulation and the profitable applica- 

 tion of an inferior element. The sulphur residues of soda 

 works, and the manganese and calcium chloride waste of 

 the bleach manufacture, were also considered. 



Several papers of value were read. Among them we 

 may note the following : — 



In dealing with milk analysis, Dr. Ellis, of Toronto, gave 

 a resume of the various processes employed, and exhibited a 

 table showing comparative results obtained by each method. 

 Mr. Thos. Macfarlane, of Ottawa, pointed out the advan- 

 tages of the asbestos method of milk analysis, which seems 

 to possess special merits over the older processes. A 

 known quantity of milk is poured upon the asbestos, dried, 

 weighed and percolated with petroleum ether, the opera- 

 tion being conducted in tubes specially made for the pur- 

 pose. Expedition and accuracy are advantages gained by 

 this method — a dozen samples being operated upon at once. 



Mr. A. McGill, of Ottawa, presented "Notes on the Anal- 

 ysis of Coffee," and among other things showed that the 

 extent of adulteration with chicory, can be readily deter- 

 mined by exhausting with boiling water and taking the 

 specific gravity of the solution at 60° F. 



Dr. B. J. Harrington, of Montreal, dealt with " The Sap 

 of the Ash-leaved Maple (Negundo aceroides). This paper 

 gave the details of an examination of the sap of the ash- 

 leaved maple, carried out in the month of April last. Two 

 trees, thirteen years old, and grown at Montreal from the 

 seed, were tapped early in April. The sap was examined 

 daily until the 20th of the month, after which the flow 

 ceased entirely. Tables were given, showing the daily 

 variations in the flow and density of the sap, as well as the 

 percentage of sugar, &c. From the results stated, it appears 

 that the average proportion of sugar in the sap of one tree 

 was 2.33 per cent., and in that of the other 2.42 per cent. 

 The mineral constituents of the sap were found to consist 

 chiefly of calcium salts, including a considerable proportion 

 of calcium phosphate. The interest of these determina- 

 tions is increased from the "fact that the sugar obtained was 

 of a very fine flavor and quality, while the ease and rapid- 

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