HISTORY OF SAGO. 
223 
the forms observed by M. Raspail in the feculent grains of 
sago, is no matter of astonishment, since it is observed also in 
the fecula of the potato and others. 
In another trial, by directing with caution the action of the 
pestle, M. Planche has been enabled to isolate completely and 
without rupture the amylaceous granules which constitute 
sago, which thus reduced mechanically to a state of simplicity 
assum.es the general condition of the feculse, that is to say, is, 
like them, insoluble in cold, and soluble in boiling water. 
It now remains to inquire into the variable quantities of 
water absorbed by the first five varieties of sago, and of the \ 
increase in bulk which was the consequence. Upon investi- 
gating the cause of this anomaly, M. Planche has determined that 
it is owing to the unequal porosity of the grains of sago belong- 
ing to the same species. He made himself certain of this fact, 
by macerating the sago of the Maldives or that of New 
Guinea, the grains of which are naturally of various shades, 
during twenty-four hours in an aqueous solution of cochineal 
and alum. These grains were then washed with cold water and 
dried upon their surface with blotting paper. In this state it 
was easy to observe that the grains which were the palest 
before maceration, had assumed a bright red tint that 
did not penetrate deeply, while those most coloured had 
become of a reddish purple colour throughout. Finally, 
in those grains in which two shades of colour had appeared, the 
part where the deepest of these existed, evinced the greatest 
penetrability to the aqueous solution, for it yielded to the 
least pressure, while the other retained its consistence and 
elasticity. 
The author has, also, occupied himself with the explanation 
of the colouring of sago; he thinks that the colour is peculiar 
to the fecula itself, and resides in its teguments. He has, in 
fact, observed, that by treating the sago of New Guinea with 
diluted sulphuric acid assisted by heat, its solution takes place 
with the assumption of a very slight reddish tint, and appears 
transparent to the naked eye, but if attentively examined with 
a glass, small coloured corpuscules are seen suspended in it, 
