ESSENCE  OF  SASSAFRAS. 
429 
tration»of  these  salts,  the  action  decreases.  Bohemian  glass 
stands  acids  better  than  the  kinds  of  glass  containing  soda ;  the 
Berlin  porcelain  ware  is  only  perceptibly  acted  upon  by  alkalies. 
— Chem.  News,  Lond.  July  23,  1869,  from  Annalen  der  Chemie 
und  Pharmacies  June,  1869. 
IMPROYED  MODE  OF  MANUFACTURING  GLUCOSE  FROM 
STARCH. 
By  M.  Maubre. 
The  author  states  that,  by  the  usual  mode  of  proceeding,  a 
portion  of  the  starch  is  always  left  in  the  state  of  dextrine ;  he 
therefore  operates  under  pressure  and  a  higher  temperature. 
For  this  purpose,  he  applies  a  strong  cylindrically-shaped  iron 
vessel,  internally  lined  with  lead  ;  this  boiler  is  charged  with  28 
kilos,  of  sulphuric  acid,  at  60°  Beaume,  and  2800  litres  of  water, 
and  this  liquid  is  brought  to  the  boiling  point  by  means  of  high 
pressure  steam.  When  boiling,  there  is  gradually  run  mto  this 
fluid  a  mixture  of  1180  kilos,  of  starch  and  2500  litres  of  water, 
acidulated  with  28  kilos,  of  sulphuric  acid.  When  the  whole  of 
this  quantity  has  been  introduced  into  the  aforesaid  boiler,  it  is 
closed,  and  the  temperature  within  it  raised  to  160°,  by  means 
of  high  pressure  steam  introduced  into  the  boiler  by  leaden  and 
perforated  pipes.  After  about  four  hours,  the  action  is  complete, 
the  fluid  run  ofi"  into  tubs,  and  the  acid  saturated  by  means  of 
84  kilos,  of  finely-powdered  good  limestone.  After  separation 
of  the  sulphate  of  lime,  the  fluid  is  evaporated  to  20°  B.,  clarified 
with  animal  charcoal,  and  next  evaporated  in  vacuum  pans, 
yielding  an  excellent  and  beautiful  glucose. — Lond.  Chem.  News, 
July  16,  1869,  from  Moniteur  Scientifique,  'No.  300,  June  15, 
1869. 
ESSENCE  OF  SASSAFRAS. 
Br  Messrs.  Grimaux  and  Ruotte. 
The  essential  oil  of  sassafras,  obtained  from  the  Laurus  sassa- 
frasj  is,  when  recently  rectified,  a  colorless  fluid,  which,  at  0°  C. 
(32°  F.)  has  a  specific  gravity  of  1*0815.    The  oil  is  a  mixture 
