324 [Dec, 1845. 



Bringing together the results of the analysis of the ancient and that of the 

 most recent soil, we find the following composition in 100 parts. 



Ancient soil. Recent deposite. 



Water, 4.20 3.70 



Soluble organic matter, ... - 2,30 2.8 



Insoluble organic matter, - - - - 2.15 1.42 



Peroxide of iron, - 8.07 8.76 



Alumina, - - . - - - . - 2.69 6.55 



Lime, 7.11 3.80 



Magnesia, -._--_ 2.06 1.89 



Carbonic acid, ---.._ 5.55 1.40 



Insoluble silicates, - ... - 63.55 70.20 



Loss, 2.37 Ox. of Manganese .30 



Phosphate of lime .15 



100 



100.45 



The loss in the analysis of the ancient soil, is attributed in part to the com- 

 bined water, which no doubt existed in the peroxide of iron, and in part to the 

 chloride of sodium and phosphate of alumina, of which some traces were 

 observed, but of which time did not allow me to make a minute examination, 

 or to repeat the analysis for (he purpose of an exact determination of their 

 proportion. The most striking difference between the ancient and the mo- 

 dern soils is to be found in the far higher proportion of carbonic acid, lime, 

 and magnesia in the former, and the greater abundance of alumina and of in- 

 soluble silicates in the latter. The matter soluble in water is nearly the 

 same for both, and the oxide of iron 'not widely different. 



The Monthly Report of the Corresponding Secretary, and 

 the Annual Report of the Recording Secretary, were read 

 and adopted. 



The Annual Report of the Treasurer was read and referred 

 to the Auditors. 



On motion of Professor Johnson, Resolved, that the Re- 

 cording Secretary be directed to make out anew and correct- 

 ed list of Members and Correspondents of the Institution, with 

 a view to publication. 



On motion of Mr. Vaux, Resolved, that the Corresponding 

 Secretary be authorised to transmit to Correspondents, copies 

 of the Catalogue of the Library, as occasion may offer. 



