Phaseolus Beans. 



373 



watered butter. Penalties were imposed in 584 cases, amounting 

 in all to £2,451. In addition, 104 fines, of the aggregate 

 amount of £161 18s., were inflicted in respect of offences under 

 the Acts relating to margarine. 



The number of samples of cheese taken was 1,652, or 42 less 

 than in 1900. Only 18 samples were, however, reported against, 

 or i*i per cent, of the total number examined, as compared with 

 3' 1 in the previous year. 



Among other articles examined were 530 samples of bread, 

 587 of flour, and 1,374 of lard, the numbers reported against 

 being 4, 2, and 5 respectively. 



Phaseolus Beans. 



The Scientific and Technical Department of the Imperial 

 Institute, London, have recently conducted an investigation into 

 the nature of the poisonous constituent of the beans of Phaseolus 

 lunatus of Mauritius. These beans have proved fatal to 

 animals as well as to human beings, and the result of the 

 inquiry is to show that they contain a considerable quantity of 

 a glucoside capable of furnishing prussic acid. The beans 

 somewhat resemble the ordinary haricot or kidney bean in 

 shape, though they are usually rather smaller ; they are light 

 to dark brown in colour, with red or purple markings. 



Several specimens of beans, said to be imported from India 

 under the names of " Paigya Beans," " Burma Beans," and 

 " Red Rangoon Beans," have lately been received from manu- 

 facturers and dealers in feeding-stuffs in this country, and have 

 also been examined. These are all, undoubtedly, species of the 

 Phaseolus ; and, although they are not all quite so poisonous as 

 the Mauritius variety, it would seem very undesirable to employ 

 them as a feeding-stuff, at any rate in an uncooked state. 



Fattening Fowls in Ireland. 



Under the auspices of the Irish Agricultural Organisation 

 Society, several societies are now taking up the question of 



