Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-11-01

DIR. Thomas Taylor. microscopic OF the
Agricultural Department, is engaged in making
microscopic examinations of a number OF
samples Of condiments purchased at various
stores in this city. Samples OF pepper, allspice
and cloves are now undergoing scrutiny. In
almost, if not in every sample examined, some
adulterant has been found. The condiments
are purchased at stores and delivered in her
metically sealed packages bearing the names
and addresses of the manufacturers. The
labels are numbered and carefully put away
for further reference. Both the whole berries
and the ground condiments purchased.
DR.. Taylor said to STAR reporter that the in
vestigation was mainly for the purpose of find
ing out simpler methods by which adulterating
ingredients may be detected.
THE ADULTERANTs USED.
In making the investigations he had observed
that the common adulterants, brick-dust and
sand, were not used so much now as they were
formerly, but he has found that stone cells of
olives and other seed are largely used. Peach
seed, olive seed, and cocoanut Shells he thought,
were the principal adulterants. They have no
taste or smell and he saw no reason why they
could not be used in all condiments. To make
microscopic sections of black pepper berry is
inserted in a wax tip on a common cork, and,
by means Of the microtone, a new invention of
parent is taken from the berry which is buried
in the wax. This is transferred to glass and
photographed for the purpose of ascertaining
its structure. 1t is also drawn in colors, stains
being used, enabling one to detect the various
substances.
GROUND OLIVE SEEDS.
DIR. Taylor has obtained from the olive and
vine farm of s. E. Goodridge, in California, a
quantity of olive stones. The stones were
ground to powder and passed through the finest
sieve imaginable. By subjecting a portion of
this powder to the microscope 1t was found to
be composed of what is known to the botanists
as stone cells. Under polarized light they are
very brilliant and easily distinguished from the
stone cells of the genuine article. As compared
with the stone cells of black pepper they are
long and narrow. As already stated, another
adulterant used is ground cocoanut shell. The
powder made by the shells is much darker than
that made by the olive stones, which is of a
yellowish hue. The cocoanut shell powder
is more suitable to ginger and Spices
having been determined it can be easily ascer-
tanned with the microscope whether or not any
foreign substance has been introduced in
it and what the substance is Black
pepper, when good, said DR.. Taylor,
viii have a fair share of the black-skin cover
ing of the berry. When there is a scarcity of
the black skin in the pepper and it appears
streaky, the article is apt to contain some
adulterant- Authorizations, he said can easily
be detected by the fingers. All that is neces-
sary is to put some of the article in water and
rub it between your fingers. If an adulterant
has been used the stone cells can be felt
After taking your fingers from the water some
Of the stone cells will remain on them.
THE MICROSCOPE IN COURT.
When asked whether the result of the micro
scopic examination would hold good in the
courts in a prosecution for selling adulterated
food. the doctor said that there was not the
slightest doubt but what it would. He said
that microscopic tests of bogus butter had stood
III the courts. but he knew of no convictions
where the analysis was made by chemist