318 
PHARMACEUTICAL MEETING. 
The boontjes themselves, the little beans, are, in the dry state, externally of 
a dark chestnut colour, and about twice the size of a horse-bean. On opening 
them, a yellowish-white kernel is seen, weighing about two-thirds of the weight 
of the whole seed. A given quantity of the kernel was digested in ether in the 
usual way, to dissolve out the oil, 34*6 per cent, of which was obtained, or 22*5 
per cent, reckoned on the whole seed. The oil is of light colour, not very fluid, 
inodorous, and has no marked flavour. The ease with which it can be ex¬ 
pressed from the seed, its abundance, and its bland taste, amply explain its 
alimentary use in the meals of tlie Kafir. 
The percentage of nitrogen in the kernel is 3’6, in the integument 1*03. This 
nitrogen probaWy all exists in the state of vegetable albumen, for I could not 
detect any other nitrogenous constituent. If so, then the percentage of albu¬ 
men in the kernel is 22‘6, and in the integument 6’48. Or as an average of the 
weights of kernel and integument of several seeds gives the weight of the kernel 
as 1*099 grammes, and its accompanying integument *594 of a gramme, it follows 
that the average amount of albumen in the whole seed is nearly 17 per cent.; 
about three-fourths of the proportion commonly existing in peas, beans, and 
other leguminous seeds. In this percentage of flesh-forming material, and in 
the proportion of oil, we have ample explanation of the observed liking which 
elands have for these beans. Ko wonder that the plant has been locally named 
Eland’s boontjes. 
The percentage of ash in the kernel of the seed is 1*82, in the integument 
1*54, or, in the whole seed 1*72. 
In 100 parts of the seeds or beans we have— 
Albuminous matter (Legumin).17*0 
Oil.22-5 
Woody fibre, moisture, etc.,.58*8 
Ash.1-7 
And in 100 parts of the root— 
Tannic acid.13 
The analysis of a plant which afibrds an important article of food to man, is 
useful in the preparation of his clothing, and, at the same time, is a storehouse 
-of muscular force eagerly resorted to by animals, could not but prove instructive 
and interesting. It was chiefly for that reason that the examination was made, 
and that the results are now recorded. 
17, Bloomsbury Square, London. 
Mr. Morson, referring to a diagram of the plant exhibited by Mr. Baines, remarked 
on the extraordinary length of the fruit as compared with the plant itself, and asked 
whether the^ drawing was correct. 
Mr. Baines said it was now sixteen or seventeen years since he had seen the plant 
growing, but he had prepared the diagram to the best of his recollection. The plant 
grew about a foot and a half high, and the legumes were nearly as long, and dragged 
generally, to a slight degree, on the ground. 
ON THE IGNITING-POINT OP PETROLEUM. 
BY JOHN ATTFIELD, PH.D., F.C.S., 
DIRECTOR OP THE LABORATORY OE THE PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY OE GREAT BRITAIN. 
It is HOW well known that petroleum, as it issues from the earth, and as met 
with in commerce in the crude state, emits a vapour of powerful odour, which 
is inflammable, and which, consequently, when mingled with air in certain 
