G80 
FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS. 
It is stated that this process is worked as a commercial 
speculation at Rheims. 
Marmott Oil. —In the Daupliiny an oil so called is {)ie- 
pared from the kernels of the Alpine plum. The residuum 
is much esteemed by the ]:)eople of the country for the pro¬ 
perty it possesses of fattening animals quickly; but they are 
obliged to exercise circumspection in its use; because, if 
given in too large quantities, it will act as a poison. This 
arises from the cyanogen it contains becoming in the stomach 
converted into hydrocyanic acid. As an antidote the fluid 
sulphate of iron is effective. 
The nutritious principle of Bran. —It has hitherto 
been considered by chemists that the nutritive principle in 
bran was gluten. M. Mouries, however, asserts that it is a 
new nitrogenous body, to which he has given the name of 
cerealine, with a portion of another well-known substance— 
vegetable caseine. 
Cerealine is soluble in water and insoluble in alcohol. It 
acts as a ferment on starch, dextrine, and glucose; alters 
gluten extremely, giving to it a brown colour, and is the 
cause of the brown colour in bread. 
' Asinine Improvements. —Good days seem to be in store 
for the donkey, that much-abused, patient, and uncomplaining 
animal, for, besides the association recently formed in London 
for the purpose of giving prizes to costermongers who can pro¬ 
duce sleek, well-fed, and well-tended animals of this descrip¬ 
tion, Madame Urbain llattazzi has taken the donkeys of Aix- 
les-Bains under her protection, and has succeeded in success¬ 
fully carrying out a great race meeting in which only her long- 
cared protegea were allowed to contend. Everything passed off 
in the greatest good order, in the presence of more than 3000 
visitors. In order that the susceptibilities of the four-footed 
competitors should not be wounded, everything was arranged 
as for a regular race meeting, for there were grand stands 
and reserved seats, clerks of the course, gentleman riders,^^ 
weighing enclosures; and the names, weights, and colours 
of the riders were duly published. There were three prizes, 
two of 20f. for donkeys of three years and over; and the 
grand prize of 30f. for donkeys of all ages, conditions, and 
countries. The distance was something under a mile. 
