130 TlMEHRI. 
This proteid gave no precipitate with acetic acid and potassic ferro- 
cyanide. 
After removal of this body by repeated boiling and filtration, the 
clear fluid gave a good xanthoproteic reaction. On applying some of 
the tests used in the case of the East Indian latex, the same peptone- 
like body was found to be present. It dialysed readily, and the solution 
in water gave a precipitate on saturation with solid MgSo 4 - 
Hence it appears that the latex of Mimusops globosa contains two 
proteids, one a member of the albumose group, precipitated under 
certain conditions by nitric acid or by potash, but not by boiling, and 
the other more nearly related to the peptones. 
An unexpected Source of Cane Sugar. — The follow- 
ing extract from " Nature" should be of interest :- — 
Attention has been publicly drawn of late to " Mahwa Flowers " — 
the corollas of Bassia latifolia — as a cheap source of cane-sugar. This 
species of Bassia is a tree attaining to a height of 40 to 60 feet, and 
common in man\ parts of India, especially in Central Hindustan. It 
has oblong leaves of firm texture, from 5 to 6 inches long ; these fall in 
February, March, or April, and are suceeeded in March or April by the 
flowers. These last for two or three weeks and then begin to fall. The 
falls take place at night, and continue sometimes for a fortnight. The 
fruits, which resemble a small apple, ripen in three months ; the seeds, 
one to four in number, yield an edible oil by pressure. It should be 
added that the trees are self-sown, and that they flourish in very poor 
and stony soil. 
When the Mahwa tree is in bud, the ground beneath it is cleared of 
weeds, sometimes by burning. A single tree may yield as much as six 
to eight maunds* of flowers ; even thirty maunds have been asserted 
to have been collected from one tree. These flowers have a luscious 
but peculiar taste when fresh ; when dry they resemble in flavour in- 
ferior figs. They form a very important addition to the food of the 
poorer classes in those districts where the tree abounds, particularly in 
the neighbourhood of woodlands and jungles. They are specially use- 
ful in economising cereals in seasons of famine and drought. They are 
* A Bengal maund equal 82} lbs. avoirdupois. 
