384 ANNUAL RECORD OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 



samples, of 10 per cent, and even to 12 and 13 per cent., 

 while in that of the Chinchas it does not go beyond 4 per 

 cent. 



From the preceding results, it is evident that if, in the 

 province of Tarapaca, some of its guano is poor in ammonia, 

 there are others equal to the best guano of the Chinchas, and 

 even more valuable than the latter from the greater propor- 

 tion of soluble phosphoric acid they contain. The most abun- 

 dant deposits, such as those of the Pabellon de Pico, Patache, 

 Huanillos, and Point Lobos, are also those of a superior kind 

 of guano. 



Of the specimens from Point Lobos, one contained only 0.81 

 per cent, of ammonia, another 3.15 per cent.; another the ex- 

 traordinary amount of 15.67 per cent. The inference was 

 that these three specimens were taken at different depths, 

 the deepest abounding most in ammoniacal salts. A bottle 

 was received from Patache filled with muriate of ammonia, 

 very pure, and of fibrous structure. Its presence would go 

 to show that the guano of these deposits may be expected to 

 improve, in proportion to the depth from w^hich it is extract- 

 ed. Of the thirty-three specimens from different points ana- 

 lyzed by the Professor, the value ranges from 1 16s. to 16 

 a ton, the latter being from Pabellon de Pico. Panama Star 

 and Herald, May 1, 1874. 



FOSSIL PHOSPHATES OF BELLEGAKDE. 



Risler gives an account of investigation of the fossil phos- 

 phates of Bellegarde, in the department of Ain, in France, 

 near the Swiss boundary. He found in a sample 47-J per cent, 

 of the basic phosphate of lime, corresponding to 21.7 per cent, 

 of phosphoric acid. By treatment with sulphuric acid, a su- 

 per-phosphate was obtained, with 20.3 per cent, of soluble 

 phosphoric acid, which is a large amount. Such a fossil phos- 

 phate as this, and occurring in considerable quantity, must 

 prove very valuable. 28 C, 1873, XL, 316. 



AGRICULTURAL VALUE OF ANTHRACITE ASHES. 



In the Bidletin of the Bussey Institution of Harvard Uni- 

 versity, lately issued, are accounts of several series of inves- 

 tigations undertaken by Professor Storer and his assistants, 

 which are not only interesting and valuable in themselves, 



