PROFESSOR TRAILL ON BERG-MEAL, OR MINERAL FLOUR. 149 



almost coincided to a few hundredths of a grain with this, which I considered as 

 the most accurate experiment. 



3. In one small parcel of the Berg-Meal, differing a little in colour from that 

 of which the analysis is now given, I found a larger quantity of iron, and ahout 

 0.02 of a grain of lime : but as the iron in the Berg-Meal, by several experiments, 

 was only from 0.15 to 0.156, and the quantity of lime wholly inappreciable, I am 

 disposed to consider these discrepancies as arising from accidental causes ; and I 

 think we shall not greatly err in considering the following as the composition of 

 the Berg-Meal when dried. 



22.00 Organic matter destructible by heat. 

 71.13 Silica. 

 5.31 Alumina. 

 0.15 Oxide of iron. 



98.59 

 1.41 Loss. 



100.00 



In this loss must be included the trace of lime in the solutions, and still 

 slighter trace of muriates which the aqueous decoction exhibited. But I am 

 inclined to suppose, that the principal part of the apparent loss is to be attributed 

 to the difficulty of obtaining, in a state of uniform dryness, a powder which con- 

 tains matter destructible by heat. 



It is quite obvious also, that in a powder exposed, as the Berg-Meal appears 

 to be in its native repository, to accidental mixtures from the influence of decay- 

 ing vegetables, and from the percolation of water charged with earthy matter, in 

 different situations, and even in different parts of the same bed, its accidental 

 ingredients may vary ; but this analysis sufficiently proves that its principal and 

 essential chemical ingredients are organic matter and silica, both derived from the 

 decomposition of beings once endowed with the principle of life. 



Perhaps no geological speculation is more calculated to excite surprise and 

 admiration than a reflection on the countless myriads of animated beings, whose 

 remains, even to the naked eye, now appear to fill our calcareous formations and 

 our coal-beds : but how much is this sentiment increased, since EHRENBERG'S dis- 

 coveries have taught us to consider the chalk (which forms whole districts in 

 Europe), polishing slate, and some other minerals, as aggregations of the exuviae 

 of animals so inconceivably minute, that a single cubic inch of chalk contains 

 1,382,400 individuals ! ! The Berg-Meal of Swedish Lapmark adds another link 

 to the infinite chain of organized existences, whose delicate structure, symmetry, 

 and astonishing minuteness, are not among the least wonderful of the works of 

 the supreme CREATOR. 



VOL. xv. PART i. R r 



