REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. 



31 



In this series of experiments it is true that the percentage of sucrose 

 in the mill juice appears to be slightly greater than in the bagasse juice. 

 For example, the ratio of sucrose to other sugars iu the mill juice is 

 9.31 to 2.18, or -1.27 to 1. Iu the bagasse juice, by analysis, it is 6.17 to 

 1.99, or 3.10 to 1, and by calculation 8.95 to 2.88, or 3.11 to 1. 



From these results we derive the following conclusions : 



(a) The saccharine matter in the cane is evenly distributed through 

 the juices of the stalk. 



(b) Hence the juice remaining in the bagasse has the same saccharine 

 richness as that expressed by the mill. 



(c) But in the few experiments made the sucrose appears to be slightly 

 in excess in the mill juice, and [d) the uncrystallizable sugar in the juice 

 remaining in the bagasse. 



The conclusions (c) and (d) are given subject to modifications from a 

 more extended series of observation. 



In a very large number of analyses no indications have been found 

 of the existence of the sugar in the cane in a solid state, nor in any 

 form of combination which would indicate an inequality in its distribu- 

 tion in the cane juices. 



THEORY OP DIFFUSION. 



If a solution of a crystallizable substance be separated from pure 

 water, or a solution of the same substance of a different density, by an 

 animal or vegetable membrane, an interchange will take place between 

 the two liquids until they are practically of the same composition. This 

 principle is called osmose. In a vegetable cell containing sugar in solu- 

 tion the flow of water inward is called endosmose, and that of the sugar 

 solution outward exosmose. 



The term crystalloids has been applied to those bodies tending to 

 assume a crystalline shape, and colloids to those that have no tendency 

 thereto. Crystalloids, however, possess this sensibility in different 

 degrees. For example, solutions of metallic salts, such as those of 

 potassium, .respond to the osmotic force more readily than those of 

 sugar. This difference is utilized in the construction of "osmogenes" 

 apparatus, which are used in the beet-sugar industry to separate the 

 potassium and other mineral salts from the sugar. 



If vegetable substances containing sugar are cut into thin slices and 

 exposed to the action of water,' the sugar will pass out through the cell 

 walls, and water flow in, until there is an even distribution of the sugar 

 throughout the whole. If the external water is now drawn off, and a 

 fresh portion supplied, the same phenomenon will be repeated. When 

 this has been done eight or ten times the amount of sugar left in the 

 cell is so small, that for practical purposes it may be neglected. 



MATHEMATICAL, THEORY * 



Let n = number of cells in the battery. 



a == volume of juice contained in the chips forming a charge for a 



single cell. » 

 b = volume of liquid transferred from ceil to cell. 

 g = specific gravity of undiluted cane juice. 

 (j n = specific gravity of liquid in the rejected chips. 

 g l = specific gravity of diffusion juice. 



Then 



* I desire to thank Professor Harkness, of the Naval Observatory, for this formula. ' 



