158 Agricultur, Horticultur, Forstbotanik. — Chemisches. 



derosa Dougl. scopulorum, P. aristata Engelm., P. ßexilis James, 

 und Cupressus arisonica Greene sehr schön zur Anschauung. 



P. Leeke (Halle a/S.). 



Willis, J. C, Report on the Royal Botanic Gardens. (p. 1—39. 

 Ceylon. 1905.) 



In addition to the general report of Dr. Willis, the Director, 

 there are supplementary reports by the heads of the various depart- 

 ments. The following are amongst the more interesting matters 

 recorded. 



Rubber planting has progressed vigorously and there are now 

 about 45.000 acres under Para rubber, Hevea brasiliensis. Interest in 

 Ceara rubber {Manihot Glasiovii) has revived ; "biscuits" made of it 

 fetch practically the same piece as Para, and it will grow in Cej'lon 

 at much greater elevations and in much drier districts than Hevea. 



The Output of oils has increased, and the question of the tests 

 for citronella oil {Andropogoii Nardus) is discussed. 



Cotton is likely to be successful in the North Central Pro- 

 vince, but climate and labour conditions there are not satisfactory. 

 As compared with rubber in Ceylon moreover cotton is an 

 unremunerative crop. Camphor cultivation, though small as yet, 

 shows signs of being remunerative. The chemist, Mr. Bamber, as 

 a result of study in Formosa has made apparently good "or long" 

 teas in Ceylon from local leaf. If this is successful it is anticipated 

 that increased sales of black teas in America may result. 



Cacao export have slightly increased, but rubber is being 

 interplanted; it is thought that the cacao Output has perhaps reached 

 about its maximum. 



The cause of the softening of prepared rubber was investigated 

 and certain bacteria and an oxidising enzyme found to be present 

 in the liquefied rubber. 



Soils from the Maldive Islands in which coco-nuts {Cocos 

 nucifera) thrived were found to consist almost entirely of coral or 

 carbonate of lime. The best coco-nut soils in Ceylon contain 95 

 per Cent, of sand. The extreme Variation in soils well adopted to 

 this plant is very interesting. 



The report on the Experiment Station by Mr. H. Wright 

 contains detailed accounts of manurial and other experiments as 

 cacao, rubbers, and many other crops. W. G. Freeman. 



Drabble, E. and M. Nierenstein. On the Role of Phenols, 

 Tannic acids and Oxj^benzoic acids in Cork Formation. 

 (The Biochemical Journal. Vol IL p. 96-162. February ll^t 1907.) 



Condensation products which give reactions similar to those 

 given by cork, (insolubility in copper ammonium hydroxide and in 

 concentrated sulphuric acid ; solubility in potassium hydroxide) are 

 precipitated by the action of hydrochloric, phosphoric, acetic, and 

 formic acids on a mixture of formaldehyde and a phenol, tannic or 

 oxybenzoic acid. The condensation product with gallic acid yields 

 diphenylmethane when reduced with zinc dust. 



Tannic and oxybenzoic acids are present in the plant in close 

 association with the cork from its earliest inception. In plants in 

 which cork had not commenced to form no tannic or gallic acids 

 could be detected in the. subepidermal layers. 



From cork itself were extracted gallic acid and a substance 



