BULLETIN OF THE BUSSEY INSTITUTION. 449 
In order to determine whether the matter insoluble in alcohol, 
obtained as above, is always contaminated with inorganic sub- 
stances, another portion of the powdered maple root (more than 
50 grm.) was hydrolyzed as before; first with dilute sulphuric 
acid of 3.5%, to remove starch and xylan, and subsequently 
after treatment with strong sulphuric acid of 90% H,SO,, with 
acid that had been diluted to 3.5%. In the treatment of this 
sample care was taken to dry thoroughly the residual cellulose 
left after the action of the first acid of 3.5%, before adding to it 
70 c.c. of strong sulphuric acid. This strong acid was left in 
contact with the cellulose during 24 hours, and was then diluted 
to 3.5% and boiled and examined as before. 
In this instance the liquor obtained from the first hydrolysis 
with 3.5% acid, and supposed to contain a mixture of xylose and 
dextrose, showed quasi(a) D = 42°.87 and enough ‘‘ sugar” to 
amount to 15.48% dextrose, calculated on the dry wood. On 
the other hand, the product of the hydrolysis after the action of 
strong sulphuric acid gave quasi(a) D = 63°.75 and ‘* sugar” 
enough to amount to 1.07% of the dry wood. 
The syrup left on evaporating most of the liquor from the 
hydrolysis after the strong acid was a brown molasses. Strong 
alcohol was added to it in three successive portions, the last por- 
tion being left over night in contact with the insoluble matter. 
This precipitate, which was lighter colored than the syrup from 
which it came, was dissolved in a very small quantity of water 
and heated carefully upon an oil bath to 65° C., and then set aside 
in a dessicator to cool. After 24 hours the dish was found to 
contain a solid crystalline mass in and upon which, as in the 
previous instance, were to be seen numerous acicular crystals. 
Under the microscope these needles seemed to be hexagonal 
prisms, many of which had well defined terminations. After a 
day or two these crystals effloresced in dry air, while preserving 
their original shape. ‘They were found to consist for the most 
part of inorganic matter. 
The solution obtained on dissolving this crystalline mass in 
water showed no disposition to form a syrup on being evaporated. 
On the contrary, it left a dark-brown, somewhat granular residue 
which remained’ unchanged in appearance on the addition of 
strong alcohol. After driving off the alcohol, dissolving in water, 
