MR THORXTON JOHX €IER.kPATH OX THE I.-Analyses of the Ashes of some Esculent Vegetables. By THORNTON ESQ. JOHNHERAPATXI At a period whcn so much attention is paid by scientific men both at home and abroad to the inorganic constituents of plants and when many of our chemists of the first standing are engaged in their analysis the detail of the results of some experiinental quantity of caiistic soda depend entirely on the excess of lime employed the carbonate and caustic soda might be readily calculated as well a3 the compound saIt of the suipbide of calcium. ASHES OF ESCULENT VEGETABLES. inquiries which I have lately instituted into the chemical constitu- tion of the ashes of some of our commonest esculent vegetables though few in number may not be thought uninteresting by the members of the Society; for although my recent experiments on this subject which I hare already had the honour of communicating to the Society would appear to shorn that we must not expect much benefit to result to physiology from the analysis of the inorganic substances contained in such a heterogeneous assemblage of parts as that which occurs in any separate organ of a plant still it cannot but be admitted by every chemist who may have witnessed the great improvements which have of late years been introduced in the cultivation of the soil that such analyses have proved and are still proving of the greatest assistance to the practical agriculturist in nuinerous ways and are of especial service in pointing out to him those particular substances which are most beneficial as manures for his crops.It was with this latter object in view that the following analyses wcre undertaken. All the specimens examined were particularly fine and in excellent preservation and were with very few exceptions obtained from the places in which they mere growing by myself; I was consequently enabled to ascertain every circumstance connected with their growth which it was necessary for me to be acquainted with. The greatest care was taken to remove all extraneous matters from the plant prior to burning. The processes followed in the preparation and analysis of the ashes have been already described in a former paper to the Society. 1.-SCURVY-GRASS (Cochleayia anglica).This vegetable as is me11 known although not ordinarily con-sidered as an article of food is occasionally resorted to as such by sailors after returning from long voyages or when suffering from scurvy produced by a deficiency of vegetable aliment. It has been found particularly beneficial to persons suffering under this disease and hence is derived its popular name. The plants the ashes of which were submitted to examination were fouud growing on the de'bris of new red sandstone-rocks near the banks of the river Avon which were occasionally submerged at high tide. a. 6440 grs. of the fresh specimen (entire) gave 740 grs. of dry vegetable matter which left upon incineration- 156 grs. of ash. b. 5000*00 grs. of fresh gave 574.70 grs. of dry plant which left 121.11 grs.of ash. JIR. THORNTON JOHN HERAPATH ON THE These experiments give 2.4222 as the mean per-centage of ash fsom the fresh and 21.0770 as that from the dry plant. Thesc ashes were found to consist in 100 parts of SOLUBLESALTS I. 11. ME 4N. Carbonic acid. 3.580 3.560 3.570 Sulphuric acid . 3.024 3,244 3.134 Phosphoric acid Potash . . traces. traces. traces. ooloo traces. 0.050 Soda . 7.710 7.764 7.737 Chloridc of sodium . 63.510 63.758 63.634 INSOLUBLESALTS Carbonate of lime . . 7.079 7.279 7.179 J magnesia . 1.093 1-471 1.282 Siilphate of lime . traces. traces. traces. Phosphate of lime (tribasic) 11.030 9.482 10.256 J? , magnesia . traces. traces. traces. Perphosphate of iron 0 0,503 0.779 0 6B1 Silicic acid .2.495 2.633 2.564 100.024 100.070 100.047 Deducting thc carbonic acid we obtain the following per-centage composition Sulphuric acid 3.383 Phosphoric acid . 5.433 Potash . . 0.054 Soda . 8.359 Chloride of sodium . . 68.701 Lime . . . 10.282 Magnesia . 0.658 Sesqui-oxide of iron . . 0.367 Silicic acid . . 2-763 100~000 11.-CELERY(Apiumgraveozens). a. 1555.0 grs. of the fresh young shoots gave 101.4 grs. of dry vegetable matter and left 17.1 grs. of ash upon incineration. 6. 4546.70 grs. of the same specimen gave 307.25 grs. of dry matter and 50.00 grs. of ash. from the fresh plant . I9996 Mean per-centage of ash { , ,) dried , . 16.2720 ASHES OF ESCULENT VEGETABLES. SOLUBLESALTS I. 11.MEAN. Carbonic acid. 7-967 8.407 8.187 Sulpburic acid . 0.957 0.983 0.970 Phosphoric acid . 6.419 6.423 6-421 I Potash . . 29.019 29.657 29.338 Soda . . . traces. traces. traces. Chloride of sodium. . 32-909 31.651 329280 INSOLUBLE SALTS Carbonate of lime . 7.310 7,652 7.481 , , magnesia . traces. traces. traces. Sulphate of lime . I) 99 >> Phosphate of lime (tribasic) 13.091 14.279 13.685 ? , magnesia . -Perphosphate of iron . traces. traces. traces. Silicic acid . 2.092 1.182 1.637 99.764 100-234 99.999 After the deduction of the carbonic acid the composition in 100 parts will be Sulphuric acid . 1.095 Yhosphoric acid . 14.390 Potash . 33.144 Soda . . traces. Chloride of sodium. 36.466 Lime . . 13,056 Magnesia .traces. Sesquioxide of iron . >> Silicic acid . . 1.849 IIL-SEA-KALE(Crambe maritima). I have analysed the ashes of this plant taken at two different periods of its growth; firstly those of the full-grown leaf and petiole; and secondly those of the young blanched sprouts; the plant in the meantime having been well manured with horse-dung. Soil.-Rich porous and sandy garden ground lying on the mill- stone-grit which contained a pretty large proportion of carbonate of lime. a. 1097.0 grs. of the fresh leaf &C. gave 113.4 grs. of dry vegetable matter and left 19*0grs. of ash upon incineration. JIR. THORNTOX JOHN HEBAPATH OK THE b. 1737.0 grs. of the same speciiiieii gave 179.0 grs. of dry matter and 30*00bgrs.of ash. &an per-centage of ash { from the fresh lcaf &c. . 1.732 ,y , dried , . 16.736 a. 1158.0 grs. of thc fresh young s;)routs gave 83~4grs. of dry vegetable matter and left upon incineration $998 grs. of ash. 6. 1737.0 grs. of the same speciincns gave 125.1 grs. of dry matter and 12.4447 gs. of ash. from the fresh young sprouts. 0.7108 Mcan per-centage of ash c , dried , 9.9490 9 Old plant. Young plant. SOLUBLE SALTS I. 11. Carbonic acid . . . 6.921 4.217 Sulphuric acid . . 15.157 21-848 Phosphoric acid . . . traces. 5.061 Potash . . 2.105 6.7'48 Soda . . . . . 20.800 23.584 Chloride of sodium . . 12.542 traces. INSOLUBLE SALTS Carbonate of lime. . . 27.168 3.615 ,) ,,magnesia . . some traces.Sulphate of lime . 1.515 traces. Phosphate of lime (tribasic) . . 12.105 30.710 ,,magnesia. . traces. traces. y l'crphosphate of iron . 1.582 traces. Silicic acid . . 0.105 4.217 100*000 100 000 Carbonic acid being deducted the following is the composition in 100 parts I. 11. Sidphuric acid . . 19.782 23.195 Phosphoric acid . . . 7.998 19.926 Potash . 2.594 7-164 Soda . 25.640 23.039 Chloride of sodium . . 15.462 traces. Lime . . 27.557 20*10Y Magnesia . . traces. traccs. Oxide of iron . 0.835 traces. Silicic acid . 0.129 &a77 100-000 100~000 ASHES 0%' ESCULENT VEGETABLES. The following are the analyses of two full-grown specimens of this vegetable. Tlzc first of these was taken from a piece of garden ground near Bristol the soil of which was similar to that described under No.111 and the other was found growing \iilcll on alluvium on the banks of the Avon which was daily overAoned by the river. They were both gathered whilst in flower. a. 285.9 grs. of the fresh cultivated plant gavc 72.1 grs. of dry vegetable matter which furnished upon incineration 4.38 grs. of ash. b. 714.7 grs. of the sanie specimen (fresh) gave 180.25 grs. of dry matter and 10.951 grs. of ash. Mean per-centage of ash from the fresh plant . 1.5321 ,J 9 dried ,J . 6.0748 u. 486.2 grs. of the fresh wild plant gave 175.0 grs. of dry vegetable matter and left 11-78 grs. of ash upon incineration. b. 1701.7 grs. of the samespecimen (fresh) gave 612.5 grs. of dry matter and 41.313 grs.of ash. . 2.4*220 Mean per-centage of ash { from the fresh plant 9 dried 6.7304 9 JJ Uncultivated Cultivated plant. plant. rl--A --7 SOLUBLE SSLTS I. 11. MEAN. r Carbonic acid . 14.636 13.902 14.269 4,861 Sulphuric acid . . 3.309 3.605 3.557 7-775 Phosphoric acid . 2.181 2.019 2.100 traces. Potash . 32,695 32.783 32.739 15.815 Soda . . . 2.719 Chloride of sodium. . traces. traces. traces. 20 514 , , potassium . 13-LO3 13.015 13.059 -INSOLUBLE SSLTS Carbonate of lime . 14.511 14.711 14.611 21.432 , , iiiagnesia . 2.617 Sulphate of lime . traces. traces. traces. traces. Yhosphate of lime (tribasic) 16.197 16.223 16.210 21.670 , , magnesia . traces. traces. traces. traces. Perphosphate of iron .0.412 0.500 0456 1.699 Silicic acid . 2.803 3-133 2.968 0.849 100*047 99.891 99.969 99*951 MR. THORNYON JOHN HERAPATH ON THE Deducting the carbonic acid the followiiig is tlie composition in 100 parts Cultivated Uncultivated plant. plant. Sulphuric acid . . 4.487 9,224 w Phosphoric acid . 12.357 12.812 . . 41.299 18.766 Potash. 0 Soda . . . -3.225 Chloride of sodium . . traces 24.337 I JJ ,) potassium . * . 16.473 . 21,332 28.081 Lime . Magnesia . . -1.479 0 # Oxide of iron . 0.308 1.069 Silicic acid . 3.744 1.007 100*000 100~000 I have likewise analysed the ashes of the young heads of asparagus ; such as were in a fit state for the table. The results of my analysis are as follows cc.1839.0 grs. of the fresh shoots gave 133.0 grs. of dry vegetable matter which left after incineration 14.95 grs. of ash. 6. 4597.5 grs. of the same specimen (fresh) gave 332.0grs. of dry matter and 37.37 grs. of ash. from the fresh plant . 0.8129 Mean per-centage of ash { 9) JJ dried ,J . 11.2400 SOLUBLE SALTS I. 11. MEAN. Carbonic acid. 3.925 4.101 4.013 Sulphuric acid . ' } 31.199 30.967 31.083 Phosphoric acid . Potash ' } 32.605 32.665 32.635 Soda . Chloride of sodium. , ),potassium . . po,09010.030 10.060 INSOLUBLE SALTS Carbonate of lime . 6.832 7.080 6.956 J ,J magnesia . -Sulphate of lime . traces. traces. traces. Phosphate of lime (tribasic) 14.040 14.052 14.046 JJ JJ magnesia . traces. traces. traces. Perphosphate of iron .0.209 0.203 0.206 Silicic acid . . 1.100 0.902 1.001 ASHES OF ESCULENT VEGETABLES. Sulphuric and phosphoric acids . . . 40.530 Potash and soda . . . 35.118 Chlorides of sodium and potassium . . . 10.825 Lime . . 12.331 Magnesia . . traces. Oxide of iron. . 0.119 Silicic acid . 1.077 100*000 V.-CAULIFLOWER (Brassica oleracea var. & botrytis). The specimens examined of this plant mere brought from Corn-wall where they are cultivated in the greatest perfection. Soil.-Somewhat loamy very rich and well manured. Q. 1800.0 grs. of the fresh plant (entire) gave 159.0 grs. of dry vegetable matter and furnished when incinerated 14-0grs. of ash. b. 9500 grs. of the same specimen gave 796.0 grs. of dry matter and 70.25 grs.of ash. v from the fresh plant . 0.7585 Nean per-centage of ash { , , dried , . 8.8151 SOLUBLE SALTS I. 11. MEAN. Carbonic acid. 3.914 3.914 3.914 Sulphuric acid . . l2*101 13.379 12.740 Phosphoric acid . 6.749 6.731 6.740 Potash . . 20.932 21.296 21.114 Soda . . 6.009 5.961 5.985 Chloride of sodium. } 7-269 7.05 1 7.160 , , potassium . INSOLUBLE SALTS Carbonate of lime . . 14.161 13.597 13.879 , , magnesia . traces. traces. traces. Sulphate of lime . . traces. traces. traces. Phosphate of lime (tribasic) 26.099 25-853 25.976 9 , magnesia . traces. traces. traces. Perphosphate of iron . 1.112 1.018 1.065 Phospha-te of alumina . )traces. traces. traces. ,Y , manganese . -Silicic acid .1-400 1.446 1.423 99,746 100.246 99-996 The carbonic acid being deducted the following is the composition of the ash in 100 parts NRa THORNTON JOHN IIERAPATH ON THE Sdphuric acid . . 14.158 Phosphoric acid . . 22.135 Potash . . 23.463 Soda . . 6-651 Chloride of sodium } 7-956 , , potassium . Lime . . 23.333 Magnesia . . traces. Oxide of iron . . 0.723 Alumina. . Oxide of manganese. }traces. Silicic acid . 1.581 100*000 VI.-KIDNEY BEAN (PhaseoZus nznzdti,Rorus). This vegetable together with all those subsequently examined grew on rich well-manured and drained sandy soils in the neigh-bourhood of Bristol lying 011 the niillstonc grit and new red sand-stone which contained considerable quantities of carbonate of lime and red oxide of iron with a very notable proportion of carbonate of magnesia.a. 12840 grs of the fresh young legunies gave 76.0 grs. of dry vegetable matter and left 8.11 grs. of ash upon incineration. 6. 1000*0grs. of the same gave 58.9 grs. of dry matter and left 6.305 grs. of ash. 0.6310 v Mean per-centage of ash } from the fresh legumes. > dried , . 10-6875 The ash Contained 9 SOLUBLESALTS Carbonic acid. 14.081 Sulphuric acid Phosphoric acid Potash . . . 3.378 1.553 36.103 Soda . . . - Chloride of sodium . 4932 INSOLUBLE SALTS Carbonate of lime . . 22-194 I9 , magnesia . 3.822 Sulphate of lime . traces. Phosphate of lime (tribasic) 11 -866 ,? , magnesia . traces. Perphosphate of iron .traces. Silicic acid . 2.071 100~000 ASHES OF ESCULENT VEGETABLES. Or calculated after deducting carbonic acid. Sulphuric acid . 4-553 Phosphoric acid Potash . . . 9.451 48.667 Soda . - Chloride of sodium . 6.648 Lime . . 25.337 Magnesia . 2.553 Oxide of iron . . traces. Silicic acid . 2.791 100~000 VII.-oN 10N (Allium saticum). 15974 grs. of the fresh root when dried a.nd incinerated left 8.71 -grs. of ash = 0.5453 per cent. The ash contained SOLUBLE SALTS Carbonic acid. . 12.169 Sulphuric acid . 4-821 Phosphoric acid . 2.181 Potash . . 35.132 Soda . some. Chloride of sodiuiii . 2.755 INSOLUBLE SALTS Carbonate of lime . 5.740 >9 J magnesia 6.886 Sulnhate of liiiie .none. P&ph& of lime (tribasic) 30.089 I> ),magnesia . . traces. Perphospliate of iron . . traces. Silicic acid . 0.224 99.997 Or calculated after deducting carbonic acid. Sulphuric acid . 5.900 Yhosphoric acid . . 19.668 Potash . . 43,001 Soda . sonic. Chloride of sodiuiii . 3.372 Lime . . 23.7'65 Magnesia . 4+Ql*li Oxide of iron . traces. Silieic acid . 0.280 100.000 IXR. THORUTON JOHN HERAPATH ON THE ~TII~.-CO;\lNON WHITE GARDEN-TURNIP (BraSSiCa T/7jIa). a. 1830.0 grs. of the fresh roots cut in thin slices gave 160.0 grs. of dry vegetable matter and left upon incineration 11.863 grs. of ash. 71. 1542.6 grs. of the same gave 134.87 grs. of dry matter and 9.998 grs. of ash. from the fresh roots .0.6481 Mean per-centage of ash { ,> ,> dried 7 . 7.4136 The ash contained SOLUBLE SALTS Carbonic acid. * 14.692 Sulphuric acid . 2.141 Phosphoric acid . 4.518 Potash . 39.146 Soda . Chloride of sodium . 11.936 INSOLUBLE SALTS Carbonate of lime . 3.287 J , magnesia . 4.046 Sulphate of lime . traces. Phosphate of lime (tribasic) 19.223 , , magnesia . traces. Perphosphate of iron . traces. Silicic acid . 1*011 100*000 Or calculated after deducting carbonic acid. Sulphuric acid . 2.619 Phosphoric acid . . 16.620 47.888 Potash . Soda . -Chloride of sodium . 14.601 Lime . 14.679 Magnesia . 2.357 Oxide of iron . traces. Silicic acid . 1-236 ASHES OF ESCCLENT VEGETABLES.IX.-SWEDE TURNIP OR RUTA-BAGA (Brassica campestris var. napo-brct ssicce). a. 2116.0 grs. of the fresh young roots gave 355.0 grs. of dry vegetable matter and left 26.05 grs. of ash upon incineration. b. 6348.0 grs. of the same gave 1065.0 grs. of dry matter and 78.15 grs. of ash. from the fresh roots . 1.2311 Mean per-centage of ash { , , dried 7.2817 , ?Y The ash was composed of SOLUBLE S4LTS I. 11. MEAN. Carbonic acid. 17.349 16,893 17.121 b Sulphuric acid . 3.196 3.534 3.365 Phosphoric acid . 6.897 7.891 7.394 Potash . 5 1.070 49.786 50.428 Soda . traces. traces. traces. Chloride of sodium . { 5.890 5.994 5.942 , , potassium . INSOLUBLE SALTS Carbonate of lime . 2.289 2.322 2.305 > , magnesia .2.589 2.452 2.520 Sulphate of lime . traces. traces. traces. Phosphate of lime (tribasic) 7.943 7.955 7.949 > , magnesia . 2.487 2.191 2.339 3 , alumina . )traces. traces. traces. J , manganese . I Perphosphate of iron 0.400 0.366 0.383 Silicic acid 0.087 0.062 0.074 -100.197 99.446 99.820 Yielding the following quantities in 100 parts after deducting the carbonic acid Sulphuric acid . 4.242 Phosphoric acid . . 15,890 Potash . . 62.631 Soda . . traces. Chlorides of sodium and potassium . 7.439 Lime . 6.922 Magnesia . 2.531 Alumina and oxide of manganese . traces. Oxide of iron . 0.251 Silicic acid . 0.094 1ci 3IR. THORNTON JOHN HEBIPATI-I ON THE X-BEET (Beta vulgaris). a.-1950.0 grs.of the sliced roots of the variety called the cr Long Red," when dried and incinerated "gave 19.22 grs. of ash = 0.9856 per cent. Composition of the ash SOLUBLE SALTS Carbonic acid . . 17.876 Sulphuric acid . G.082 Phosphoric acid . . traces. Potash } 39.016 Soda . Chloride of soditmi . 5*9m IXSOLUDLE SALTS Carbonate of liinc . . 15.609 Carbonate of magnesia . . 4.162 Snlphatc of hie . . traces. Phosphate of lime (tribasic) . . 11.293 >> , mag:nesia . .-I ,J , aluiiiina . . I traces Perphosphate of iron . . ) of b Phosphate of manganese . . 1 each. Silicic acid . .J 100*000 The composition calculated on 100 pwts after deducting the carbonic acid was Sulphuric acid . . 8.322 e Phosphoric acid .7.101 Potash .. ' } 53463 Soda . Chloride of sodium . 8.158 Lime . . . . 20.244 Magnesia . 2.712 Alumina Oxide of iron . traces , , manganese Silicic acid . 100~000 XL-RAD~SH(Raphanus sativus). a.-875.0 grs. of the fresh root gave 33.218grs. of dry vegetable matter and left 7.25 grs. of ash upon incineration. ASHES OF ESCULENT VEGETABLES. b.-6000*0 grs. of the same specimen gave 242.08 grs. of dry matter and 49.8 grs. of ash. Mean per-centage of ash { from the fresh roots 0,8285 , , dried , 20.0900 Composition of the ash SOLUBLE SALTS 9 Carbonic acid . 19.498 Sulphuric acid . 3.624 Phosphoric acid . none. Potash 18.919 Soda . 18.699 Chlorides of potassium and sodium 10-886 INSOLUBLE SALTS Carbonate of lime .6.994 , , magnesia . 1.814 Sulphate of lime . 0.134 Phosphate of lime (tribasic) . 17.634 , , magnesia . 1.396 Perphosphate of iron . 0.134 Silicic acid . . 0.268 100~000 Calculated composition after deducting the carbonic acid Sulphuric acid Phosphoric acid Potash . . . . . 4.840 11.916 24.739 Soda . . . . 24-45 1 Chlorides of potassium and sodium . 14.235 Lime . . . 17.608 Magnesia . Oxide of iron b . I . . 1.728 0.077 Silicic acid . 0 . 0.352 X1I.-CARROT(Daucus carota). a.-1010*0 grs. of the fresh roots of the variety called the “ Long Scarlet,” gave 133.0 grs. of dry vegetable matter and upon incine-ration 13*$85grs. of ash. b.-12625-0 grs. gave 1662.0 grs of dry matter and 1680462 grs.of ash. YOL. II.-R’O. v C MR. TIIOKNTON JOHN HERAPATIi ON TI-IK from the fresh root 1.3340. Mean per-centage of ash { , , dried , 10.1370. Composition of the ash SOLUBLE S-4LTS I. 11. MEAN. Carbonic acid 16-261 16.263 16.262 Sulphuric acid . 6.432 6.634 6.533 Phosphoric acid * 4.309 4.099 4.204 Potash . 13.001 14.005 13.503 Soda . . 23.909 23437 23.673 Chloride of sodium. . 7.321 7-301 7.311 INSOLUBLE SALTS Carbonate of lime . . 7.420 7.430 7.425 , , inagnesia . 2.241 2*227 2.234 Sulphate of lime . . traces. traces. traces. Phosphate of lime (tri-basic) . . 16,509 16.713 16.611 Phosphate of magnesia } traces. traces. traces. Perphosphate of iron . . Silicic acid .. . 2.205 2.195 2.200 99.608 100-304 99.956 The following is the composition in 100 parts aftcr deducting the carbonic acid Sulphuric acid . . . 8.239 Phosphoric acid . . 14.970 Potash . . 17.029 Soda * . 29.855 Chloride of sodium . 9.220 Lime . 16.523 0 Magnesia . . 1-341 Oxide of iron . 0 * . traces. Silicic acid . . 2-823 100~000 XIII.-PARSNIP (Pastinaca sativa). a.-1000*0 grs. of the fresh root gave 238.0grs. of dry vegetable matter and left upon incineration 14-12grs. of ash. 6.-4965.2 grs. gave 1181.0 grs. of dry matter and 70.10 grs. of ash. from the fresh roots 1.4130. Mean per-centage of ash { , dried , 5.9340. ,> ASHES OF ESCULENT VEGETABLES. The ash contained SOLUBLE SALTS I.11. MEAN. Carbonic acid . . 14.062 14.264 14.163 Sulphuric acid . . . 4873 4.715 4.794 Phosphoric acid . 5.706 5.352 5.529 Potash . ’} 43.351 43.461 43.406 Soda . .. Chloride of sodium . 3.806 3.756 3.781 INSOLUBLE SALTS Carbonate of lime . . 7.760 7.820 7 790 , , magnesia . --Sulphate of lime . . traces. traces. traces. Phosphate of lime (tribasic) 17.509 17.691 17.600 , , magnesia . traces. traces. traces. Perphosphate of iron 2.915 2.899 2.907 traces. traces. traces. Silicic acid b ~. 99-982 99 958 99-970 Deducting the carbonic acid the following composition in 100 parts is obtained Sulphuric acid . . . 5.751 Phosphoric acid . . . 18,270 I Potash . ’ *} 52-670 Soda . 0. Chloride of sodium.. . 4.588 I Lime . . . 16.811 Magnesia . . traces. Oxide of iron . . . 1.910 Silicic acid 4 L . traces. 100~000 XIV. POTATO(Solanurn tuberosum). I have analysed the ashes of the tubers of five different varieties of this plant viz. A. the 4c White Apple,” B. the ‘I Prince’s Beauty,” C. the ‘< Axbridge Kidney,” D. the “ Maggie” or “ Maghie,” and E.the ‘‘ Forty-fold.” All of these were grown on the same soil and under precisely similar circdmstances. A. a.-913.0 grs. of the fresh tubers of this variety cut in thin slices gave 247.0 grs. of dry vegetable matter and left upon inci- neration 11.895 grs. of ash. b.-7675*0 grs. gave 2074.7 grs of dry matter and 99-997 grs. of ash. c2 MR THORNTON JOHS HERAPATH OX TIIF 13.a.-693.0 grs. of the fresh tirbers gave 202.6 grs. of dry vege-table matter and 7.320 grs. of ash. b.-1151*0 grs. gave 337.3 grs. of dry matter and 12.298 grs. of ash. C. a.-G24*4 gm. of fresh tubers gave 182.3 grs. of dry vegetable matter and 7.952 grs. of ash. b.-16$34 grs. gave 486.03 grs. of dry matter and 21.163 grs. of ash. 11. cr.-T48-0 grs. of fresh tnbers gaw 236.3 grs. of dry vegetable matter and 8.18’7 grs. of ash. b.-33GO 0 grs. gave 1062% grs. of dry matter and 36.832 grs. of ash. E. a.--5960 grs. of fresh tubers gave 132.0 grs. of dry vegetable mattcr and 5.25 grs. of ash. b.-l430.4grs. gave 317.0 grs. of dry matter and 12-6grs.of ash. The following tables give a coniparative view of the mean per-centage and composition of the ash from these five rarieties of the potatoe Nean per-centage of ash A.B. C. D. E. From the fresh tubers . 1.3029 1.0609 1.2709 1.0953 0.8808 , , dried , 4.8180 3.6304 4.3581 346.48 3.9750 Composition of the ash SOLUBLESALTS Carbonic acid . 21.059 16.666 21400 18.162 13.333 Sulphuric acid . . 2.774 4.945 3-244 5.997 6.780 Phosphoric acid . . 5.716 8.920 3.774 6.669 11.428 Potash . I . 58.467 54.166 55.610 55,734 53.029 Soda . traces. traces. traces. traces. traces. Chloride of sodium . traces. traces. traces. traces. 2.095 INSOLUBLESALTS Carbonate of lime . 0.844 2.019 3.018 1.954 2.286 , , magnesia. 3.530 0.273 1.257 2.565 0.570 Sulphate of lime . . traces. traces. 0.125 traces. traces. Phosphate of lime (tri- basic) .. 3.363 0.683 3.835 5.374 2.856 Phosphate of magnesia. 9.247 12.298 9.550 3.545 7.623 Perphosphate of iron Phosphate of alumina . , , manganese traces. traces. - traces. -I 0.062 -I traces. - traces. traces. traces. Silicic acid. . traces. traces. 0.125 traces. traces. 100~000100*000100~000 100~000 100~~00 -4SHES OF ESCULENT VEGETABLES. A. B. C. D. E. Sulphuric acid . . 3.615 6.007 4.329 7530 7,942 Phosphoric acid . . 17-222 20.831 14.892 14.363 20.677 Potash . . 69.688 65.823 70.590 69.985 62.118 Soda . . traces. traccs. traces. traces. traces. Chloride of sodium . traces. traces. traces. traces. 2.454 Lime . . 2.976 1.843 * 4.969 5.009 3.301 Magnesia . . 6.499 5-496 5.014 3.113 3.508 Oxide of iron .traces. traces. 0.043 traces. traces. L Alumina . . traces. -traces. Oxide of manganese --traces. Silicic acid . . traces. traces. 0.163 traces. traces. 100~000100*000loooooo 100~000100*000 If we consider attentively the results contained in the preceding pages we shall arrive at the following general conclusions 1. That the inorganic constituents differ both in proportion and composition in each of the crops examined. 2. That cultivation can to a very considerable extent modify and control the assimilative powers of plants for certain inorganic sub- stances. This is most decisively proved in the case of the potato plant (No. XIV) in which neither the proportion nor chemical composi- tion of the ashes from any two varieties are alike.True it is that there is in many respects a great resemblance to be detected in all of them but the differences are still much too great to be over-looked. It woiild be extremely interesting to ascertain by &sect experi- ment whether the various varieties of plants which occur naturally (and which therefore cannot be the result of cultivation) likewise contain different inorganic constituents as if such were proved to be the case it would in my idea go far to explain to us the cause of the formation of varieties in the vegetable kingdom which is at present except in a few instances an almost inscrutable mystery. This influence of cultivation on plants is of great practical impor- tance in agriculture for as the evident object of the farmer's endeavours is to obtain the greatest amount of produce from his land at the least possible expenditure of time and money so does it become necessary for him in order to effect this to ascertain the variety of the plant which is best suited to his soil; for by substi- tuting one variety for another he may often obtain as large a crop 3lR.THOBNTON JOHN HEEAPATH ON THE at as early a season and at the same time be enabled to effect a great ceononiy in the application of his manurcs. Hence also he must not take it for granted because one variety of a plant does not happen to succeed that therefore his land is not adapted for the cultivation of that particular vegetable ; for where one variety will utterly fail anothcr will often yield an admirable crop.Another remarkably good iiistance of the change produced by cultivation in the inorganic constitueiits of plants is exhibited in the two asparagus plants (No. IV) where it will be observed that the soda and lime-salts of the wild specimen (11) hare been to a very considerable extent replaced by potash-salts in the cultivated plant (I). These results would not however appear to be in accordance with the law or rather hypothesis recently advanced by Professor Liebig; namely that the sum of the oxygen in the bases in combination with the organic acids (which occur as carbonates in the ash) is constant in the same species of plant no matter what the nature of the soil may be upon which the individual specimens are grown ;for it will be seen that whilst the ashes of the cultivated plant contained 14.269 grs.of C02in the soluble salts = 5.1887 grs. of 0 in base 14,611 grs. of COz+CaO = 2,3370 , 7) Sum of oxygen 7.5257 those of the wild specimen on the contrary contained only 4.861 grs. of C02in the soluble salts = 1.7670 grs. of 0 in base. 2143.2grs. of' C02+CaO = 3.4290 , , 2.617 grs. of C02+&ifgo = 0.4940 , , 5.6940 01' nearly two per cent less in the total proportional of oxygen-a difference evidently much greater than can be attributed to the errors of analysis only. I intend however if my time will allow me to make a much more extensive series of experiments on this subject in the course of another year when I hope to communicate the results to the Society.3. That the principal and by far the most important constituents of root crops are the alkalies potash and soda which occur for the greater part free the remainder being in combination with sulphuric and phosphoric acids. They generally form from 43 to 71 per cent of the ash. It must not be imagined however that all the alkali which was ASHES OF ESCULENT VEGETABLES. estimated in the ash as carbonated existed in the living plant in combination with organic acids part of it was evidently produced by the decomposition of the nitrates by the carbon of the vegetable matter. In such large quantities in fact did the nitrates occur in the case of the radish (No. XI) that actual scintillations were observed to take place upon incinerating the dried plant.By a proximate analysis I found the dried roots to contain from 13 to 14 per cent of the mixed nitrates of potash and soda. 4. That in the potato (No. XIV) the lime except in one instance is greatly exceeded in quantity by the magnesia; sometimes even in the proportion of three to one. If we examine we shall see that this observation is likewise borne out by the experiments of other chemists. Thus Boussingault found the relation of the former to the latter earth to be as 1.8 to 5.4; and Daubeny in three analyses found respectively 2.71 3.67 and 2-54per cent of lime and 10.98 7-00 and 6.31 per cent of magnesia. In fact magnesia would appear to be necessary for the growth and well-being of the potato-plant as it has bcen observed that when it is not present in the soil in sufficient quantity the tubers rarely if ever attain their full development.5. That the akaline chlorides are present in greater or smaller quantity in all the crops examined. Although these sometimes occur to such an extent as to form more than half the entire weight of the ash I think it is a great question whethcr they perform any important part in the organism of the plant. Indeed judging from the mariner in which they arc observed to fluctuate in quantity in different specimens of the same plant I am inclined to believe that in the majority of cases (if me cxcept those plants of niarine origin such as the sea-kale asparagus &c. to which they are essential) they ought to be classed amongst those substances which from their extreme solubility are absorbed by the roots of plants and are thus carried into the system without being actually necessary either for their health or existence.In proof of this opinion Daubeny found in three analyses of the ashes of turnip-roots 5.4 per cent of chlo- ride of sodium in one and none in either of the others; and in the three specimens of potato-ashes before mentioned that gentleman found respectively 8.75 5.88 and 1.87 per cent of mixed chlorides I found in five analyses 2.454 in one and only traces in the other four. In the ashes of the roots of the carrot and parsnip Sprengel found 1.76 and 7.15 per cent of chloride of sodium; I found 9.22 and 4.588 per cent 24 ON THE ASHES OF ESCULEXT VEGETABLES.6. That in all young succulent shoots as in root crops the alka- lies and alkaline salts greatly exceed in quantity the insoluble earthy and metallic salts. I have already attempted to explain the reason of this iu a former paper. The sulphuric and phosphoric acids are also present in rather con-siderable proportion especially in the sea-kale and asparagus (Nos. I11 and IV) mherc they amount to from 40 to 43 per cent of the ash. The great relative increase of these acids and potash observed in the young as compared with the old plant of sea-kale was no doubt occasioned by the salts of the animal manure with which the former had been supplied. In order to render these analyses of practical utility to the farmer and horticulturist I have annexed a table showing the relative quan- tities of manure requisite for a ton weight of each of the vegetables examined in the fresh state; from which it will of course be easy for him to calculate by means of a simple rule-of-three sum the weight necessary to be applied to his land per acre for any particular crop.I need hardly say that these calculations do not pretend to any extraordinary accuracy ;they must only be considered as approxima- tions to the truth. TABLE SHOWING THE PROPORTION AND COMPOSITION OF THE MANURES REQUIRED FOR A TON WEIGHT OF THE PLlESH VEGETABLE GIVEN IN AVOIRDUPOIS POUNDS AND OUNCES. Sea-kale. Celery. Asparagus. Cauliflower Kidney Garden Swede I I entire bean turnip. turnip. Jl 1 I V J Young sprouts.plant. legumes. Roots. Pearl-ash .......... 1.96 10.84 { 5.6 Soda-ash . 10 HO) ..... 1.10 -}’lS2* Glauber’s salts (SO3,kaO ..... 14.3& 0.13 8.145 Xpsom salts (SO3 MgO c 7HO) ..... -Commonsalt ......... -1-15; 1,135 1.4- Lime ......--C~O Gypsum (~03 + i rroj ...... --Bone-earth ......... 6.9 6.125 3,134 7.8% 2.2; 4.4; 4*3$ c Carbonate of magnesia ....... -- Oxide of iron ........ -0.05 0.2 0.29 0.4 Silica ........ 0.11 0.64 24-11 26-73 174& 23.7$ Actual quantity of real inorganic constituents in same cr weight of freshvegetable ...... 15.2 1 21.12% 16.15 15.113 10.8 I Beet. Radish. Carrot. Parsnip.’ Potato Tubers Varieties. J White Prince’s Axbridge Maggie or Forty-1 Roots. apple. Beauty. kidney.Maghie. fold. L-l--Pearl-ash ...... 5.14 22.93 18.11 22-8f 19.14 15-33 Soda-ash ....... } 12.15 { !::$10.3 } ”p89’;” { --- Glauber’s salts ....... -0.12 5.5p 6.1 --- Epsom salts ....... 2.12 1.Sf 1.140 -5.4 3*10$ 2.14 4.6 4.1% I Common salt ....... 1.5 2.09 2.3 1.3 --0*6* Lime ........ -. -I I -I I I I Gypsum ........ 6.0 ---- Bone-earth ....... 2.7 5.0+ 7.12i 10.48 8.24 8.13 7.04 6.15 7*9f Carbonate of magnesia ..... --2.1* 1.1 1.6 -Oxide of iron ....... -0.8 --O*O$ -- Silica ........ 0.03 0.104 -0.03 - 25.7 20.05 33.154 36-76 38*1* 32-32 33-133 30.53 27’4$ -I--Actual quantity of real inorganic constituents in same weight of fresh vegetable ... 16.29 14-24 23.114 26-04 22.4 19.if 21*13$ 19*@ 16,134 MR WILLIAM SYKES WARD Dec.4 1848. The President in the Chair. Mr. Brodie presented a copy of his paper " Investigations of the chemical properties of Wax," to the Library; Mr. W. Sykes Ward preserited his Balance Galvanometer to the Museum. Messrs. E. Pon-tifex and Ralph Busby were elected members of the Society. The followirig papers were read On a Balance GaEvanomPter. BY WILLIAMSYKESWARD,EsQ.-No recognised method being known by which the working effects of various voltaic arrangements can be referred to a common standard it occurred to the author of this paper that this might be. more easily effected by means of a new form of galvanometer than by any other. The new galvanometer proposed consists of ti coil of covered copper wire in the form of a long parallelogram the ends of the wire being extended so as to form pivots on which the coil swings and which pivots also form the connections for the current to pass through the coil and its supports.To the coil are appended two short arms forming a kind of balance-beam to which small scale-pans are attached. The two poles of a horse-shoe magnet of moderate power are inserted within the coil so as to allow it a moderate range of vibration and the force of the current is measured by the weight in grains supported in the scale-paus The galvanometer is recommended on account of the facility with which coils containing various lengths of wire and of different thickness or resistance can be adapted and readily changed as most suited for any experiment and it is frequently found advisable to use a coil having about the same resistance as the other resistances of the circuit; although for general purposes it is most advisable to have two coils one consisting of 10 feet of copper wire of No.20 Birmingham wire guage of which 1 foot weighs 27.4 grains for estimating quantity and another of 100 feet of about No. 35 or -+th of an inch of which one foot weighs 97 grains for estimating intensity or electro motive force; the former wire may be covered with cotton ; the latter should be well but lightly covered with silk. The magnet should be so strong that the indications may be manifested by considerable weights ; but it should not be too highly or nearly saturated or charged with magnetism as its power would then be very liable to be impaired by use or by time.Several coils or bundles of wire similar to that of the moveable coils and of precisely the like resistance should also be provided. The coils are made most abantageously by winding the wire upon a parallelogram of wood about three inches long and half an inch thick and of about twice the width of the coil slightly tapering towards one side to facilitate the removal of the coil. A IaTer of the insulated wire is wound ON A BALANCE GALVANOMETER. upon the parallelogram and slightly cemented with shell-lac ; another layer of wire is then wound upon the first which is again cemented and so on until sufficient wire has been added. The coil being carefully removed from the block on which it has been formed two bent needles are attached to the sides to form pivots having the points of the needles a little above the centre of gravity of the coil which needles are adjusted by bending so that the coil may hang horizontally.The needles or pivots for the coils of thin wire answer best when made of platinum. Around the piyots a portion of the uncovered end of the wire is wrapped so as to dip into mercury placed in small conical holes in which the ends of the needles are supported. If magnets could with certainty be obtained of precisely the same power a standard pattern might be agreed upon for the coils and uniform instruments procured. The value of the indications can however readily be modified in weight by altering the length of the arms to which the scale-pans are attached; and it is proposed that the galvanometer be adjusted to a common standard by making a grain weight supported by the 10-feet coil the equivalent to 1 grain of zinc consumed in a single voltaic combination in one hour.The galvanometer may therefore be adjusted by employing a pair of elements the zinc of which has been weighed ; the circuit is then com- pleted with a galvanometer and allowing the action to continue for one hour or any convenient part of an hour from time to time the weights counterpoised by the current are observed and noted down an average being obtained by interpolation ; the zinc being taken out and weighed the ratio between the number of grains dissolved and the weight in the scale- pan will be ascertained.If this be a convenient number for reduction the galvanometer will be retained in its then state and the observations reduced or the arms of the balance which I ha%-e found may be fixed sufficiently by shell-lac are altered in length until the indications cor- respond-grain balanced for grain dissolved. This may be perhaps more easily understood by a practical example. A small arrangement of the nitric acid battery was used in which a sheet of platinum surrounded the porous cell and a narrow strip of zinc was placed within the cell. In the first instance the zinc weighed 114 grains. hm At 8 27 the galvanometer balanced 57 grains , 8 35 ,Y 54 JJ 9 8 40 1 58 93 ,) 8 50 $9 57 ,J $9 8 57 YJ 57 3 5) 283 , 311%.BALY OK THE; ACTION OF' The zinc then weighed 83 grains 31 having been dissolved thus the instrument instead of having balanced 62 grains on the average had only balanced 56.6 and therefore required adjusting either by altering the position of the magnet or altering the length of the arms of the balance which for this purpose consisted of two thin slips of brass each cemented with shell-lac on a thin piece of wood the piece of wood being cemented to the coil thus the small brass arm being warmed in the flame of a lamp the length of the arm from the pivot is easily altered without affecting the wrapping of the coil. It was also proved by experiment that within very considerable limits the weight balanced by the galvanometer may be relied on as indicating the quantity of current passing.The relative indications of the galvanometer and the voltameter mere likewise compared and the author arrive! at the conclusion that this form of galvanometer will give much more accurate indications than can be obtained from a voltameter in addition to the advantage it presents of affording results more immediately and interposing less additional resist- ance in the circuit.