TRANSACTIONS OP THE SECTIONS. 31 



According to analysis, the following are its principal ingredients, viz. — 



Carbonic acid ;... 42 35 



Lime 51 -el 



Magnesia a trace 



Red oxide of iron 1'42 



Insoluble matter 4*50 



Loss .: 012 



100-00 



As this limestone appears to contain about 93'96 per cent, carbonate of lime, it 

 would seem to be tolerably well adapted for the purposes of agriculture, as the very 

 small proportion of magnesia that it appears to contain can scarcely be supposed to 

 exert much deleterious influence. 



3. The Oolitic Limestone is the next in order to the magnesian, and is found in 

 considerable abundance in the neighbourhood of Malton. it is of a yellowish-white 

 colour, and appears to be composed of inninuerable small round particles. The spe- 

 cific gravity is about 2'59. 



According to analysis, its principal constituents are — 



Carbonic acid 44-35 



Lime 53"53 



Red oxide of iron 0'69 



Insoluble matter 1-26 



Loss 017 



100-00 



From the large proportion of carbonate of lime contained in this limestone, it appears 

 to be well calculated for agricultural purposes, and is used to a considerable extent. 



4. The Chalk formation occupies a considerable extent in the eastern part of the 

 county, forming that peculiar feature in it known as the Wolds. 



This substance scarcely requires any description. It is, as is well known, of a 

 white colour, and easily scraped with a knife, and readily soils the fingers. Its specific 

 gravity is about 2*55. 



According to analysis, its chief ingredients are — 



Carbonic acid 4300 



Lime 5542 



Insoluble matter 1-10 



Loss 0*48 



100-00 

 This, like the preceding variety, appears to contain a large proportion of carbonate 

 of lime, and consequently affords, by burning, a similarly large proportion of lime, 

 and hence is particularly adapted for agricultural purposes, although it is said not to 

 produce so strong a lime as the oolitic limestone. 



On some Products of the Decomposition of Erythrin. By Edward Schunck, 



Erythrin is a white substance which forms the basis of the colouring matters produced 

 froni the Roccella linctoria. It was discovered by Heeron, and afterwards examined 

 by Kane. I have obtained very different results from the latter. The composition 

 of erythrin is expressed by the formula C20 Hj^ 0^, or C^„ H24 Ooq. By treating 

 with caustic alkalies it is decomposed into carbonic acid, which unites with the al- 

 kali and orcin, which remains dissolved. Now, if we subtract from C40 H24 O20 

 two atoms of anhydrous orcin Cjj Hu O4, two atoms of carbonic acid C4 Og, and 

 seven atoms of water Hj O7, there remains C4 H5 O, whidi is the composition of 

 one atom of aether. It was therefore probable that during this decomposition alcohol 

 would be given off, but no decided manifestations of alcohol could be discovered on de. 

 composing with caustic potash . It is therefore probable that the elements of C4 Hj O 

 arrange themselves in a different way. On being boiled with water ervthrin is con- 



