CHAP. IV.] ST. THOMAS TO BERMUDAS. 323 
72a) cog ca gh) © BD. Ga 
Report from Professor Abel, F.R.S., to HE. General Lefroy, C.B., 
F.R.S., on the Character and Composition of Samples of Soil from 
Bermudas. 
Laporatory, 18 Briuirer Street, E.C., 
January 4th, 1873. 
To Proressor AseEt, F.R.S., ete. 
Liebig, in his report to Lawes and Gilbert on the composition of the 
soil of the various plots under experimental cultivation at Rothamsted, 
has suggested the adoption of a uniform method by all chemists in the 
examination of soils, so as to lead to comparative results. The method 
he has adopted is the following, viz. : 
1. Solution in dilute acetic acid (one part of strong acid to four parts 
of water). This he considers the measure of plant food in the soil at 
immediate disposal. 
2. Solution in dilute hydrochloric acid (also 1 to 4). This yields the 
quantity which by the action of weather gradually disintegrates and 
becomes proximately available. 
Of the remainder, that which is soluble in strong hydrochloric acid 
shows the readily decomposable part of the soil, though requiring a 
longer time for disintegration than that dissolved by weak acids, while 
the part which is rendered soluble only by fusion (when the examina- 
tion is carried so far) represents the ultimate capability of the soil to 
renew its fertility after the lapse of time. 
It is obvious, if a uniform method of analysis such as this were 
adopted by all chemists, it would materially enhance the value of their 
work, by giving comparable results. 
In the analysis of the Bermuda soils, which I have now to report, I , 
have adopted, as far as possible, this plan of analysis, omitting the so- 
lution in weak hydrochloric acid, and using instead strong hydrochloric 
acid. The quantity dissolved by this re-agent represents the readily 
