-184 H. G. SMITH. 
Loiseau’s “‘raffinose.” The identity of raffinose with plus-sugar 
and gossypore was confirmed by C. Scheibler,' who points out 
some of the causes whereby different results had been obtained by 
different observers when working on like material. The presence 
of raffinose was afterwards determined in barley by C. O’Sullivan® 
who confirmed the formula previously given by Loiseau as 
C,,H,,0,,+5 H,O, and gives the specific rotation as [a]j + 1385. 
P. Rischbieth and B. Tollens*® here undertook the careful investi- 
gation of the properties of raffinose from both molasses and cotton 
seed, confirmed their identity, and also made full researches into 
the composition of raffinose. While agreeing in the main with 
the formula given by Loiseau, yet, they suggest that the results 
would agree better if the molecule was doubled, or that the formula 
be C,,H,,O,,+10H,O. B. Tollens also makes at this time, a careful 
investigation of about 22 grams of Eucalyptus manna forwarded 
by Baron von Mueller. He obtained 103 grams of perfectly 
purified melitose (raffinose) from this, and he found the percentage 
of water to be 14°67 and the specific rotation [a], + 104:00- 
10444 at 20° C. He then states that the identity of raffinose 
and melitose is thus proved, and that the older name “melitose” 
“may now be applied to the sugar from all these sources. We 
have thus arrived at the stage when “raffinose” and ‘“melitose” 
cease to exist as different sugars, and although by priority the 
term melitose is entitled to endure, yet, we find that it has been 
superseded by the more recent one of raffinose.‘ I have not been 
able to obtain access to all the papers referred to, but copious 
extracts are to be found distributed through the pages of the 
Journal of the Society of Chemical Industry. 
Experimental. 
The amount of white exudation or manna, from . punctata at 
my disposal was small, and as it was required for permanent 
exhibition in the Museum, I did not consider that an exhaustive 
1 Ber. xvir., 1779. 2 Proc. Chem. Soc. xurx., 70. 3 Ber, xvutt., 2611. 
4 Watt’s Dictionary of Chemistry, Morley and Muir, rv., 557. ; 
