98 



3IAXUFACTLKE OF SUGAR. 



The quality of the sugar, now that it has drained, appears 

 equal to that produced in Guadaloupe, by twice passing 

 through animal charcoal, and boilins: in vacuo. The 

 meksses, or rather syrup of drainage, appeared nearly equal 

 to that from which the sugar crystallized. Under the 

 microscope, the crystals were not rhomboidal as usual, 

 but cubes, having their edges replaced by planes, crystals, 

 pure, with sharp, well-defined edges, showing that a perfect 

 sugar may be obtained, without having recourse to lime. 

 This point also furnishes matter for grave consideration, 

 for every pound of lime, used in defecation, immediately 

 unites with six pounds of sugar, forming saccharate of lime, 

 coagulating by heat, and rejected as skimmings, but not 

 till its influence has destroyed the crystallizing power of an 

 equal quantity of sugar, effecting a total loss of fourteen 

 pounds. On comparing the liquor from heated canes, 

 with that in its ordinary state, the result was as follows : 

 — Twelve lbs. of the former, presenting the usual white 

 appearance, without the same tendency to subside immedi- 

 ately, were tempered with three tea-spoonsful of milk of 

 lime. Ten minutes were allowed for subsidence. On apply- 

 ing heat, the liquor threw up a scum, and then boiled down 

 with rapidity, not, however, without the occasional appear- 

 ance of impurities on the surface, probably saccharate of 

 lime. The return was 36*8 oz., or 19*15 per cent. Twelve 

 lbs. of ordinary liquor, from similar canes, exposed imme- 

 diately afterwards, were tempered hot, required nine tea- 

 spoonsful of milk of lime, were troublesome to skim, and 



