1903. Moss. — An Irish Specime7i of Dopplerite. 203 



as a basis the figures are not materially different. The 

 specimen received from Mr. Welch was in part imbedded in 

 peat ; I determined the acidity of this peat, and found on the 

 same basis of calculation 60 per cent, of humic acid. So little 

 is known at present of the constitution of humic acid that 

 these results must be received with some reserve. 



The Sluggan Dopplerite contains in the dry state 5 per cent, 

 of ash, consisting for the most part of iron oxide and lime. 

 In published analyses the ash varies from 2-23 per cent, in 

 a specimen from Aurich to 14*32 per cent, in one from 

 Obburgen. Dr. Claessen argues from this wide variation that 

 the substances constituting the ash are not essential con- 

 stituents of Dopplerite, and that, therefore, the substance is to 

 be regarded as consisting chiefly of free humic acid, rather 

 than a humate or humates. In support of this view I find that 

 the Sluggan specimen may be left soaking in strong hydro- 

 chloric acid for several days without undergoing the slightest 

 alteration in appearance, and the substance so treated and 

 well washed is undistinguishable from the original both in 

 the moist and dry state, except as regards the ash, which is 

 almost completely removed by the treatment. It behaves, in 

 fact, as a purely organic colloid, insoluble, or very slightly 

 soluble, in acid and in water. There are many points in re- 

 ference to this interesting substance requiring further investi- 

 gation. For the present we may provisionally regard it as 

 the nearest apjjroach to humic acid occurring in nature. 



Ivaboratory, Royal DubHn vSociety. 



NEWS GLEANINGS. 



Protection of Birds. 



We read with pleasure that a branch of the Society for the Protection 



of Birds has been formed in Belfast. The Couniess of Shaftesbury is 



President. The Secretary is Miss Ethel Magee (Malone Park), who 



will be glad to give information respecting the Society, and to receive 



names of new members. An annual subscription of 2^. entitles persons 



to membership, i^. to associateship, and 5^. to a copy of each publication 



as issued. The objects of the Society are the protection of birds, 



whether British or foreign, from undue destruction. 



A 2 



