74 
known. Its specific gravity according to Fahren- 
heit is about 1.6. It is soluble in its own weight 
of water at 50°; it is likewise soluble in alcohol, 
but in smaller proportions. 
Lavoisier concluded from his experiments, that 
sugar consists in 100 parts of 
28 carbon, 
8 hydrogene, 
64 oxygen e. 
Dr. Thomson considers 100 parts of sugar as 
composed of 27,5 carbon, 
7,8 hydrogene, 
64,7 oxygene. 
According to the recent experiments of Gay 
Lussac and Thenard, sugar consists of 42,47 of 
carbon, and 57,53 of water or its elements. 
Lavoisier’s and Dr. Thompson’s analyses agree 
very nearly with the proportions of 
3 of carbon, 
4 of oxygene, 
and 8 of hydrogene. 
Gay Lussac’s and Thenard’s estimation gives 
the same elements as in gum ; 11 of carbon, 10 of 
oxygene, 20 of hydrogene. 
ditious and economical method of purifying and refining sugar, 
which he was willing to communicate to them for a very great 
pecuniary compensation. His terms were too high to be ac- 
ceded to. Conversing on the subject with Sir Joseph Banks, 
I mentioned to him, that I thought it probable that raw sugar 
might be easily purified by passing syrup through it, which 
would dissolve the colouring matter. The same idea seems to 
have occurred about the same time, or before, to the late 
Edward Howard, Esq., who proved its efficacy experimentally, 
and some time before his death took out a patent for various 
improvements in the manufacture of sugar. 
