108 FORMATION OP LACTIC ACID FROM CANE SUGAR. 
ced in the warm chamber; in 7 days it had become con- 
verted into a crystalline paste, from which were obtained 
on recrystallization, &c. 210 grms. crystallized lactate of 
lime. The ley concentrated in the water-bath yielded a re- 
sidue of 26 grms., in which were found 5-53 lime. If the 
product of 210 grms. be extended to the entire residue of 
732 grms., this would have yielded 439 grms. of the salt; 
consequently the above 1400 grms. sugar would have pro- 
duced 1309 grms. crystallized lactate of lime, and estima- 
ting the loss approximately at 3 per cent., 1348 grms. Not- 
withstanding the formation of mannite, therefore, more lac- 
tic acid was formed than in the experiments 1 and 2. 
That the cane-sugar is not decomposed in the so-called 
lactic fermentation into mannite and lactic acid, appears to 
be placed beyond a doubt by the preceding experiments ; 
perhaps however it is first converted into mannite, and this 
into lactic acid, which is not improbable, judging from the 
products of decomposition of the residue of 350 grms. To 
decide, if possible, this question, the author placed a portion 
of the mannite obtained, mixed with caseine, &c, in the 
drying-room ; but not a trace of any formation of lactate of 
lime was perceptible after 8 days, nor could the author ob- 
serve any sign of the formation of mannite in a solution of 
cane-sugar which had been mixed with caseine, &c, and 
exposed to a suitable temperature, after the course of 8 
days on careful evaporation. — Chem. Gaz., from Pog- 
gendorjf's */innalen. 
