22 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W, [Jaw. 2, 1920. 



Another sample of earth that was supposed to be similar to that from 



Quidony, and which was relished as a lick by sheep, was received from 



JindaVjyne. In this case (Lab. Xo. RII 94) analysis showed the following 



composition : — 



SoUible I Lime (CaO) ... ... 0'45 per cent. 



in V Potash (KoO) oS ,, 



acid j Phosphates (P.-O5) OMl „ 



No chlorides or sulphates were present, and the total aqueous extract was 

 only 0"07 per cent. The sample was granite detritus and differs in no 

 respect from what one would expect from a weathered granite containing 

 orthoclase felspar. It is richer in potash and lime than average granite 

 soils and is slightly alkaline. This, no doubt, makes the taste agreeable to 

 the sheep, and may possibly exert a slightly purgative action. This was also 

 unctuous to feel and taste on moistening. 



Apart from any reputed curative action, a number of natural licks have 

 been sent for examination from time to time, analysis of which shows that 

 in many cases they do contain saline ingredients which may possibly be 

 lacking in the soil and herbage. 8ome of these contain fairly lai-ge propor- 

 tions of common salt. Two samples of earth from Gunning (Lab. No. 219), 

 which sheep were observed to lick continually, contained considerable quan- 

 tities of common salt, one being apparently impregnated with it. The exact 

 proportions of salt were, unfortunately, not determined. Another sample 

 from Belltrees Station (Lab. No. M 2867) also contains appreciable quan- 

 tities of common salt. Its full analysis is as follows :— 



Aqueous extract. 



Chlorine (CI) 0-144 per cent. 



Sulphuric acid (SOs) 0-22() 



Phosphoric acid (P3O5) .. 0-<»4 ,, 



Oxide of iron and alumina (FejOg, AlzOg) 0'002 ,, 



Lime (CaO) 0-012 



Magnesia (.\JgO) 007.1 ,, 



Potash (KoO) 0-008 ,, 



Soda (NaoO) 0-099 ,, 



There are probably present in the following combination : — 



Common salt 0-2;^S per cent. (Ifif grains in 1-lb. soil.) 



Sulphate of magnesia .. O-220 ,, (\'ih ,, ,, ,, ) 



Sulphate of alumina ... ... 0008 ,, ( h ,, ,, ,, ) 



• Sulphate of potash O'Ol.o ,, (1 ,, ,, ,, ) 



Sulphate of linie 0-O.S ,, ; 2 ,, ,, ,, ) 



In this case the quantities of comnum salt and Epsom salts present were 

 sufficient to impart a saline and slightly bitter taste which doubtless made it 

 palatable to tlie sheep, the Epsom salts (sulphate of magnesia) acting as 

 a mild aperient. 



Another sample of earth containing some saline matter, which was said to 

 be eaten by horses, was received from Cooma (Lab. No. M 377). Tliis gave 

 a total aqueous extract of 0-.37 per cent., of which 0-12 per cent, consisted of 

 common salt, the remainder being alum and lime salts, together with fine 

 clay, which it was difficult to separate from the soluble salts. Here alsf), no 

 doubt, the unctuous nature of the finely divided clay was the atti action 

 rather than the amount of saline matter, which latter is not great. 



