aser any article
of food, or any drug which is not of the nature, substance, and
quality of the article demanded under a penalty not exceeding L20."

The Act also provides for the appointment of public analysts for
counties and boroughs. An Act passed in 1887 provides that all
substances or compounds made to imitate butter shall be sold as
_Margarine_, and all wrappers, &c., used in its sale must be plainly
marked. These Acts are intended for the protection of the public; but
we give below the names of a few of the chief articles of consumption
that are liable to be adulterated, and when possible how to detect the
adulteration, or the best mode of avoiding it.

2748. Bread.

The chief adulteration of _bread_ is alum. This is added to give the
bread a pure white colour, which is supposed to be an advantage, thus
enabling the baker to use inferior or damaged flour. The presence of
alum can be detected by soaking a piece of the bread in an ammoniaca
tincture of logwood. If alum be present the bread will be turned
_blue_, whereas pure bread will remain _pink_. Recent investigations
have proved that the presence of alum is extremely injurious,
especially to children, affecting the coats of the stomach and
impairing the digestion.

2749. Butter.

Butter is made heavy by water, being beaten up with it. Cheap samples
are sometimes adulterated with other fats and grease, which however
require an experienced analyst to detect.

2750. Cayenne Pepper.

The cayenne of commerce is adulterated with brickdust, red wood dust,
cochineal, vermilion, and red lead. The last two are highly injurious.
These can be detected by any one possessing a good microscope. The
best way to avoid the impurities is to purchase the capsicums or
chilies, pounding them with a pestle and mortar, and rubbing through a
sieve, in small quantities as required. The pepper is far better
flavoured when fresh ground.

[...BEGINNING, MEAN AND END TO ALL THINGS--GOD.]

2751. Chocolate and Cocoa.

Those who prefer the pure cocoa can obtain the "nibs," or more
properly "beans," and grind them. But many prefer the soluble cocoa,
which is simply cocoa modified by admixture with less stimulating
substances.

2752. Coffee.

Coffee is adulterated with roasted beans, peas, and acorns; but
chiefly with chicory. Having your own mill, buy the roasted bea