•SACCHARINE MATTER OF INDIAN CORN. ISS~ 



jResia. The analyses of these suTistances become so much 

 the more interesting to the metalkngist, and we see clearly- 

 one source of the diiieience, that may exist between irou 

 »pars. 



XIII. 



Chemical Examination of the S'alk of Indian Corn, Zea 

 Mays Lin., to ascertain whether the Saccharine Matter it 

 contains he capable of CnjstaUizution; hy Mr, V. Auarie, 

 Apothecary at Valence^ Department of the Drome *. 



JLF it can be said with truth, that our physical knowledge Analysisof v&. 

 of vegetables is a complete science, their analysis mdivi- ?'^^^'^'''^^f"' 

 dually is far from having attained this desirable end. The 

 labours of modern chemists however are paving the way for 

 it; their numerous scientific discoveries have already illus- 

 trated this subject, of so much importance to the art of 

 pharmacy ; and other arts, as well as that, of physic, are 

 daily availing themselves of it with success. Still we have 

 tio regret, that the analysis of vegetables is most uncertain, 

 ■since the results are too often far IVom satisfactoiy, and the 

 synthetical method is in many cases impracticable. 



I. I boiled in a sufficient quantitj^ of water fifteen pounds stalks of In- 



of the stalks of Indian corn, freed from their leaves and dian com boiU 



• 1 1 • 1 rrM 1 • f • ed in water, 



roots, and previously bruised. The decoction after it was 



filtered was of a golden yellow colour, and a saccharine 



taste. Part of this decoctioa v,'as subjected to various expe- -Yhs decoction 



riments, of which the following were the results. tested with 



1. A solution of crystallized acetite of lead rendered the acetite of lead, 

 (decoction turbid, and separated its colouring and extractive 



part. These had subsided to the bottom of the vessel in the 

 course of an hour, leaving the liquor very clear, and lighter 

 coloured. 



2. The acidulous oxalate of potash produced a sediment, oxalate of pot* 

 and left the liquor milky. * 



* Annates de Cliimie, vol. LX, p. 61. Some remarks on the char- 

 coal both of the stalks and seeds of maize, by proi. Proust, were inserted 

 in our Journal, vol. XVlll, p. 239. 



3. JL 



