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Review of Aineifican Chemical Research.
606.-The vanadates of sodium and ammonium were reduced by alcohol and hydrochloric acid to vanadyl dichloride, and this was further reduced to vanadium chloride by means of mercury amalgam in a special apparatus arranged so that all of the work could be carried out in a current of hydrogen. From vanadium hydroxide new salts were prepared so as to study the influence which the atomic weight exerts upon the development of the properties common to aluminum, chromium, manganese, iron, and cobalt. By evaporating in vacuo the green solution obtained by dissolving vanadium hydroxide in hydrochloric acid, crystals of the compound TrC1,.6H,0 were obtained. This salt had previously been obtained by Piccini, but was not described by him. I t is similar in composition and properties to the chloride of iron, aluminuni, and chromium. Double salts could not he obtained from vanadium chloride and the alkali chlorides. T h e bromide, YBr,.6H,O, prepared in a similar manner, is described ; but the iodide could not be obtained. Potassium vanadicyanide, K,T-(C X ) , , was prepared by dissolring the anhydrous chloride in as small a quantity of water as possible, and by adding to this an excess of a concentrated solution of potassium cyanide. From this solution the new compound was precipitated by the addition of alcohol. This salt forms a member of the series R,M( CN) and gives colored precipitates with solutions of inorganic salts. I t was impossible to prepare the sodium and ammonium salts. Potassium vanadisulphocyanide, K3T-(S C S ) ,.4H,O, was made by bringing together vanadium trichloride and an alcoholic solution of potassium sulphocyanide and crystallizing in a vacuum. I t crystallizes in dark-red crystals, which are readily soluble in water and alcohol. the solution, however, being extremely unstable.
On the Decomposition of Concentrated Sulphuric Acid by Mercury at Ordinary Temperatures. BY CHARLESBASXXRT-ILLE A N D F. W .MILLER. J . Am. Chern. Soc.. 20, jrj.-517.T h e authors state that the acid used by them in previous experiments contained 99.65 per cent. H,SO,, and that it does react with mercury, notwithstanding the evidence to the contrary cited by Pitman. ( T h i s Rev. 4, 41.) BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY. IT'. R. W H I T S E P . RETIETYER
Proteids of the Pea. BY THOMAS B. OSBORNEA N D GEO. F. CAMPBELL. /. A m . Chem. SOL.,20, 348-362.-The authors have discovered that the legumin of the pea, previously described by them, was contaminated with another proteid,
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to which they have given the name vicilin ; and that the purified legumin of the pea and of the vetch, lentil, and horse bean are probably identical. I n the pea they recognize the following proteids : legumin, which is the non-coagulating globulin ; vicilin, coagulable and relatively soluble ; a globulin or albumin to which the name legurnelin is given ; protoproteose ; and deuteroproteose. T h e results of analyses of these constituents and their properties are given.
Proteids of the Lentil. Proteids of the Horse Bean. Proteids of the Vetch. Proteids of the Soy Bean. BY T. B. OsBORNE A N D G. F. CAMPBELL. /. A m . Chem. Soc., 20,362-375; 393-405 ; 406-410 ; 419-427.-h these four investigations the authors have followed the methods employed in the preceding one, and have arrived at conclusions concerning the composition of the nitrogen-containing components of these vegetables. They find legumin, legumelin, and proteose in the lentil, horse bean, and vetch, and vicilin in the lentil and horse bean. T h e soy bean contains as its chief proteid a globulin somewhat similar to the legumin found in the other vegetables examined, but of somewhat different composition. T h e soy bean also contains some legumelin and proteose. The Proteids of the Pea, Lentil, Horse Bean, and Vetch.
BY
T.B. OSBORNEA N D G. F, CAXPBELL. / . A m . Chem. SOL.,20,
410-4Ig.--The authors compare the compositions and properties of the legumin, vicilin, legumelin, and proteose which they have isolated from the vegetables mentioned in the title, and give the results of the application of the proteid tests upon these different constituents. T h e analyses of the four substances which they have obtained agree exceedingly well for the same substance from the different sources, while the differences between the compositions of the different proteids are very marked. A . G . WOODXAN, REVIEWER
The Chemistry of Cascara Sagrada. BY ALFRED R. I,. DOHMEAND HERMANN ENGELHARDT. / . A m . Chem. Sot., 20, 534-546.-The authors have made a systematic analysis of a typical sample of cascara sagrada bark. They have obtained the volatile oil which gives to the drug its characteristic odor, and have also isolated a fixed oil which they regard as a mixture of dodecyl palmitate and dodecyl stearate. From the extract with eighty per cent. alcohol, was obtained the glucoside of cascara sagrada, which the authors have named purshianin. This is a dark brown-red crystalline substance which melts at 237' C., and yields emodin when saponified.
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Review of American ChemicaZ Research.
Nitrogenous Feeding Stuffs. BY C. S.PHELPS. S t o m .4gv. bulletin describes a number of nitrogenous feeding stuffs, and contains tables showing their composition and nutritive value.
Expt. Sta. Bull., 18,1-16.--This
Mushrooms as Food. U. S. Dept. of Agr., Farmers’ Bull., 79, I 8-no-Tables are given comparing the composition of mushrooms with that of other articles of food. These show that edible fungi do not possess a high food value. Evaporation and Plant Transpiration. BY WALTERMAX/. Am. Chenz. Soc., 20,
[email protected]’I’he object of this investigation was to determine, first, the loss of moisture due to direct evaporation from the soil ; and secondly, the relative proportion that escapes by transpiration from the sugar-cane (saccharum officinarum) during different periods of growth. T h e observations were made on considerable quantities of soil, 125 pounds in each case, and covered a period of eight months. T h e author considers that it is shown by the results that nitrogen, which was applied in the form of sodium nitrate, stimulates growth and causes increased transpiration, and also that nitrogen is the vital element in the growth of plants. T h e data obtained mere found to be of value in practical field irrigation. WELL.
Some Spraying Mixtures. Cor7zetell Univ. Agr. Expt. Sta. Bull., 149.-This bulletin contains analyses of some mixtures sold as insecticides, most of them being found to contain arsenic and copper. The Value of Experiments on the netabolism of natter and Energy. BYC. F. LANGWORTHY. U. S. Debt. Agr. E x - t . S a . e discusses the value of metRecord, 9, ~ o o g - ~ o ~ g . - T hauthor abolism experiments in comparison with ordinary feeding tests, and advocates a more general trial of such experiments at experiment stations. The Mineral Constituents of the Tubercle Bacilli. Bs E. A . DORSET. 1. Am. Chem. S O C . , 2 0 , 618-620.-In continuation of their work upon the composition of the tubercle bacilli, the authors have made careful analysis of the ash. Quite noticeable were the high percentage of phosphorus pentoxide and the absence of other acid radicals. T h e high percentage of fat in the body of the tubercle bacilli, as previously observed, taken in connection with the high phosphate content of the ash, lead the authors to raise the interesting query as to whether, in prescribing phosphates and cod-liver oil in cases of tuberculosis, we are not supplying nourishment to the bacilli rather than to the individual. D E SCHWEINITZ AND ?ilARION
Biological Chemistry. A Volumetric Assay of Opium. BY H. M . GORDINAND A. B. PRESCOTT.Pharm. Archzves, I , 121--126.-The method is based on the following plan : T h e opium alkaloids are set free by ammonia with alcohol, ether, and chloroform. T h e other alkaloids are removed by benzene, after which the morphine is taken out by percolation with acetone. After evaporation of t h e acetone the residue is taken up with lime-water, and the morphine is estimated by titration as periodide, according to t h e method of the authors (1. Am. Chem. Soc., 20, 334). T h e procedure is described in considerable detail.
Note upon theVolumetric Assay ofOpium. BY H. M ,GORDIN A. B. PRESCOTT. Pharm. Rev., 16, 303.-The authors have found that in the estimation of morphine as a periodide by their method, as described in the preceding review, the character of the precipitate obtained varies under certain conditions, which a r e now being studied.
AND
Factory Tests for Ililk. By S. M. BABCOCK, H. L. RUSSELL, a n d J. W. DECKER. Wis. Agr. Expt. Sta. Bull., 67, 1-20.T h i s bulletin describes a number of simple tests that can be applied to determine the quality of the milk with regard to its use i n the cheese industry. I t gives a quite thorough description of t h e Wisconsin Curd Test as used for this purpose. The Chemistry of Aloes. BY ALFREDR. L. DOHME. Am. 70, 398-402.-This paper is a summary of recent work on the subject, showing ( I ) that the resin of aloes is an ester varying with the kind of aloes ; ( 2 ) that aloin contains emodin, to which its laxative property is probably due ; and (3) t h a t many drugs owe their laxative property to the substance emodin, which is probably a derivative of hydroquinone.
1.Phamz.,
Analyses of Commercial Fertilizers.
Agv. Expt. Sta. Bull.,
R.l.,No. 48 ; S.C., No. 35 ; Vt., Nos. 63, 64, and 65 ;
Io.,
N o . 75 ; Me., No. 43. Valuation of Crude Carbolic Acid. BY CARL E. SMITH. Am. ]. Pharm.,70, 369-37S.-As the result of a number of experiments, the author concludes that a modification of Koppeschaar’s bromine test, and a test for alkali, are all that is required to determine the value of a sample for disinfecting purposes. On the Determination of Fat and Casein in Feces. BY HERMAN POOLE. ]. A m . Chem. SOC.,19, 877-88r.-The author considers methods of fat determination by extraction with ether faulty, because no attempt is made to separate the fat from the cholesterol, bile, and other products extracted. H e effects this
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Review of Amcricau Chemical Research.
separation by saponifying the residue from the evaporation of t h e ether extract with alcoholic potash, and extracting the aqueous solution of the resulting soap with ether to remove cholesterol. T h e remaining liquid is used for the determination of fat acids. I n the determination of casein the chief difficulty lies in its separation from the epithelium cells and foreign matter. This t h e author effects by extracting the feces in succession with ether, water, and alcohol, and then drying. T h e residue is digested with dilute hydrochloric acid ( I : 2 ; ) a t jo". This dissolves the casein and leaves the epithelium debris. T h e casein is calculated from the nitrogen determined by the Kjeldahl method. T h e results obtained are lower than those given by the old methods ; but the author claims that they are nearer the truth.
Salt River Valley Soils. BY ROBERTH. FORBES.Ariz. Agr. E x p t . Sz'u. B u l l , , 28, 66-99. - This bulletin contains the results of analyses made of the alkaline soils of Arizona, taken entirely from the surface, and in nearly all cases at a dry season of the year. X discussion of the object and value of soil analyses is also included. Carbon Dioxide from Fermentation. BY DR. P. FISCHER. Pharm. Rev., 16, z14-220.-The author discusses the recovery of carbon dioxide from the fermentation of beer. IOO pounds of beer-wort will furnish about 4 pounds of carbon dioxide. Calculated on this basis the annual production in the United States, most of which, however, still escapes into the atmosphere, is more than 300,000,000 pounds. T h e process and plant used by the Pabst Brewing Company, of Milwaukee, is described. Here air-free gas is collected directly from the fermenting tubs, and is subsequently liquefied and purified. In 1897 this company sold over I jOO,OOO pounds of the liquefied gas. A Preliminary Report on the Soils of Florida. BY MII,TON WHITNEY. U. S. Dept. Agv., Div. of Soils, Bull. ~g.--This report contains a brief description of the principal types of soil and the characteristic vegetation, and a discussion of t h e chemical composition, of the physical texture, and of the water content, with reference to the differences in agricultural value.
An Electrical Method of Determining the floisture Content of Arable Soils. BY MILTOX WHITNEY,FRANK D. GARDNER, A N D I,YXAXJ. BRIGGS. U. S. Dept, Agr., Div. Soils, Bull. 6. -The principles of physical chemistry involved in the method are discussed, and a description and illustrations of the apparatus are given.
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An Electrical Ilethod of Determining the Temperature of Soils. BY MILTON WHITNEYA N D LYMAN J. BRIGGS. U. Dept. Agr., Div. Soils, Bull. 7 .
s.
An Electrical nethod of Determining the Soluble Salt Content of Soils. BY MILTON WHITNEY AND THOS. H. MEANS. U. S. Dept. Agr., Div. Soils, Bull. 8. Ilethods for the Examination of Milk. BY BYRONSTANOhio Sun. Bull., 2, 17-25.-This paper is a critical disTON. cussion and comparison of the various methods in use for detecting adulteration in milk. It does not contain anything new. A Comparison of Utah Feeding Stuffs. BY LUTHER FOSTER and LEWISA. MERRILL. Utah Agr. Expf.Sta. Bull., 54, 119140.
Digestion Experiments with Shredded Corn-fodder, Lucern, Timothy, and Wheat Bran. B s JOHN A. WIDTSOE. Utah Agr. Expt. Sta. Bull., 54, 141-151. Cotton and Corn Experiments. BY C. C. PITTUCK. Tex. Agr. Expt. Sta. Bull., 45, 978-1008. E. H. RICHARDS,REVIEWER
Nutrition Investigations in Pittsburg. BY ISABEL BEVIER. U. S. Dept, Agr. Bull., 52, 1-48.-In the courseof these studies a special point was made of the composition and cost of bread made at home in comparison with that purchased from bakeries. There is also a discussion of the apparent loss of nutrients during the process of baking. Nutrition Investigations at the University of Tennessee in 1896 and 1897. B s CHAS. E. WAIT. U.S. Dept. Agr. Bull., 53, 1-46.-In addition to three dietaries this bulletin contains valuable data upon the composition of Tennessee beef, mutton, and chicken. There is also an account of twenty-one digestion experiments with men, from which it appears that, in the cases given, a diet of bread and beef yielded only 85.5 per cent. of the total energy in the food eaten ; one of bread, milk, and eggs, 88.6 ; an average of I I mixed diets, 89.9 ; while bread and milk alone returned 92.3 per cent. of the calculated energy. Although the time of the experiments-two days-was far too short for any very conclusive results, the facts have a certain value in the dearth of similar studies under American conditions. Nutrition Investigations in New Mexico in 1897. BY ARTHUR Goss. U.S. Depf. Agr. Bull,, 54, 1-20.-1n addition to a die-
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Review of American Chemical Research.
tary of a poor Mexican family, the author gives the analyses of the different cuts of a side of New Mexico range beef, which show the remarkable absence of fat in this class of meat when killed in the spring.
A ilethod for the Differentiation of Organic Matter in Water. BY A. G. WOODMAN./. A m . Chem. SOC., 20, 497-j01.-The reagent used is potassium bichromate and the method is a modification of that given by Joseph Barnes, which is essentially the determination of the ratio between the amount of oxygen used up by potassium permanganate and by bichromate from the same water. T h e results given indicate that the method is worth further trial.
The Operation of a Slow Sand Filter.
BY CHAS. E. FOWLER.
/. N.E. Wafer Works Assoc., 1898, 209-244.
The Origin of Free and Albuminoid Ammonias in Polluted Waters. BY ELMERG. HORTON./. A m . Public HealfhAssas., 23, ~gg-zog.-'I'he author discusses the decomposition of urea under the conditions obtaining in the distillation for ammonia. ThePublicWaterSupplies of the State. BY A. W. SHAFTER. N. C. Board o f Healfh, Bull. 13, 2, r-23.-The report includes a bacteriological and a partial chemical examination of the supply of 14 towns together with an examination of the watershed.
