BY R. T. BAKER. 157 



viz. : —Lime, magnesia (in about equal proportions) and potassium; 

 traces of sulphuric and phosphoric acid were also detected. 



Mucic acid was obtained in large quantity by oxidising with 

 nitric acid, the amount being 35-65 per cent., being the mean of 

 three closely agreeing determinations; much oxalic acid was also 

 formed at the same time, that portion crystallising with the 

 mucic acid being removed by alcohol; saccharic acid does not 

 appear to be formed, except perhaps in traces. Australian gums 

 often form large quantities of mucic acid on treatment with nitric 

 acid. 



The above results determine this gum to be of commercial 

 value if obtainable in quantity; it may be classed with the second 

 class wattle gums, of which that of A. pycnantha is a type. It 

 very much resembles the gum obtained from A. j^enninei'vis and 

 A. microhotri/a, Benth. 



EXPLANATION OF PLATES. 



Plate VIII. 



Acacia Dausoni. 



Fig. L — Flowering spray. 



Fig. 2. — Portion of phyllode enlarged to show nervation. 



Fig. .3. — Bud (enlarged). 



Fig. 4. — Flower (enlarged). 



Fig. 5. — Pistil (enlarged). 



Fig. 6. — Pod (nat. size). 



Fig. 7. — Seed showing arillus (enlarged). 



Plate IX. 

 Acacia difformis. 



