472 Intelligence and Miscellaneous Articles. 



Volatile salts, as oxalate of ammonia, chloride of ammo- 

 nium, carbonate of ammonia, and combustible or- 

 ganic matter, containing 5'50 per cent, humic acid, 



uric acid and extractive, and 9*70 ammonia 4-2 , 59 



Water 27'13 



Phosphates of lime and magnesia 22*39 



Insoluble residue in nitric acid, consisting of sand. . . . 0'8l 

 Alkaline salts, chiefly phosphates, muriates, and small 



quantity of sulphates (chiefly potash) 7*08 



100-00 

 From the above examination, it is evident that the African guano 

 differs considerably from the Peruvian and Chilian, i. e. that it has 

 been more exposed to the decomposing influences of atmosphere 

 and water than either of those kinds, and tends rather to confirm 

 the views of Fritzsche, Payen and Boussingault, Girardin and Bi- 

 dard, that the Peruvian guano is in a state of fossilization. 



The most remarkable guano hitherto analysed is that described 

 by Fritzsche*, whose investigations, as far as we are aware, have 

 hitherto remained unnoticed in this country. We need therefore 

 not apologize for giving a brief abstract of them in this place, more 

 particularly as they will prove how requisite it is that the agricultu- 

 rist, before purchasing guano, should have a sample submitted to 

 analysis by some competent chemist. Fritzsche describes the guano 

 submitted by him to examination as a dry coarse powder, in which 

 some large compact masses occurred of a yellowish-brown colour. 

 The compact pieces from which the powder had originated were 

 distinctly composed of superposed strata, seldom horizontal, but 

 most frequently compressed and undulate. The strata are of two 

 kinds, one of a brownish-yellow colour, and consisting principally of 

 urate of ammonia; the other of a blackish-gray or dark brown 

 colour, and formed principally of clay. Both layers alternate with 

 each other irregularly, their relative proportions varying consider- 

 ably. The argillaceous strata are of a more compact nature than 

 those of the urate of ammonia. All the layers of clay are coated 

 with a whitish rind, which cannot be readily washed off with water. 

 This coating consists of urate of ammonia, and proves beyond a 

 doubt that the guano in question has acquired its present state 

 through the agency of water. Feathers, vertebra? and fragments of 



circular containing an analysis by Dr. Ure of some guano imported by the same 



vessel, the results of which we subjoin : — 



Decayed combustible animal matter, containing 3 parts of uric acid... 37'0 

 Ammonia, chiefly combined with phosphoric acid, only four-tenths 



being in the state of carbonate 9-5 



Earthy phosphates, as above 18*5 



Siliceous earth 0*5 



Fixed alkaline salts, a good deal of potash salts 6"0 



Water or moisture 28 - 5 



These results agree as closely as could be expected in such an heterogeneous 



mixture. 

 * Bulletin de VAcad. de Petersburg, I. No. 6. 



