THE KAFIR KERNEL. 
colored layer does not cover the germ but passes between it and the 
endosperm, as is evidenced in the very highly colored kernels where 
the germ is seen clearly through the bran by appearing lighter in color 
than the endosperm. In a small proportion, possibly 1 per cent of 
the kernels, this coloration was very pronounced. An extended study 
of this color was not made, but in extracting ground kafir in a paper 
capsule, both with ether and with chloroform, a red coloration was 
noted upon the lower part of the capsule, and this coloring matter 
was also noticeable in the solutions during the crude fiber determina- 
tion. It was thought that this coloring matter might be associated 
with tannin, but tests for this substance failed to show its presence. 
Additional tests by the Pharmacognosy and Leather and Paper 
Laboratories of this bureau confirmed these results. 
The next step in this work was the determination of the compo- 
sition of the kafir kernel and of the various products into which it 
had been separated by the method described above. It was found 
that by grinding the endosperm in a small coffee mill a rough sepa- 
ration of starchy and horny endosperm could be made. The mate- 
rial was reground through the mill several times until it would all 
pass a 20-mesh sieve; then the material that would pass a 40-mesh 
sieve was called " starchy endosperm" (6), and the part that re- 
mained on the 40-mesh sieve was called " horny endosperm" (7). 
No. 6 was floury in appearance and No. 7 had the appearance of sand. 
An examination of sections of the seeds shows that the starchy 
part lies in the center of the endosperm, surrounded on all sides by 
the horny endosperm, except that it reaches the under side of the germ. 
The following samples were analyzed: 
(1) Sample of whole kafir. 
(2) Sample of whole kafir moistened and allowed to stand over 
night, dried and ground for analysis in order to approximate but 
somewhat intensify any changes which might be caused by the 
moistening of the various parts. 
(3) Pure endosperm, as defined above. 
(4) Pure germ, as defined above. 
(5) Pure bran, as defined above. 
(6) Starchy endosperm, as defined above. 
(7) Horny endosperm, as defined above. 
Table II. — The composition of kafir and its various parts on a water-free basis. 
Sample. 
Per cent 
of whole 
kafir. 
Ash. 
Ether 
extract. 
Crude 
protein 
(NX6.25). 
Crude 
fiber. 
Nitrogen- 
free ex- 
tract. 
Pento- 
sans. 
Starch. 
(1) Whole kafir 
(2) Whole kafir mois- 
tened and allowed 
to stand over night. 
(3) Pure endosperm . . 
(4) Pure germ 
100.0 
100.0 
83.9 
10.0 
6.1 
35.0 
48.9 
Per cent. 
1.8 
1.7 
.3 
13.2 
2.0 
.3 
.3 
Per cent. 
4.1 
4.2 
.7 
31.5 
6.8 
.8 
.7 
Per cent. 
12.7 
12.7 
12.7 
19.3 
4.8 
10.1 
13.7 
Per cent. 
1.8 
1.8 
.8 
3.8 
16.2 
.8 
.7 
Per cent. 
79.6 
79.6 
85.5 
32.2 
70.2 
86.5 
83.8 
Per cent. 
3.3 
3.8 
1.9 
6.1 
18.4 
1.9 
1.6 
Per cent. 
61.9 
63.2 
69.3 
(5) Pure bran 
(6) Starchy endo- 
70.4 
(7) Horny endosperm 
68.8 
