in regard to Earthy Mutters. 171 



strontian to the ten gallons, and they were not cut down until 

 the whole of this water had been expended upon them. In or- 

 der the better to arrive at an approximation to the actual in- 

 crease of solid matter obtained during the process of their vege- 

 tation, the plants were taken up by their roots, and the adhering 

 earthy matter carefully detached ; but lest this should have been 

 incompletely effected, the stems and other parts of the plant 

 which had been above the surface of the soil were separated, so 

 that these at least might be considered free from any ingredients, 

 except such as constituted integrant parts of its actual composi- 

 tion, The several portions of these respective samples having 

 been weighed, reduced to ashes, and examined in the usual way, 

 the results were obtained indicated in the following Table, in 

 which the stem, leaves, and flowers, are comprehended under 

 the head of " Parts above ground ;"" the roots and seeds which 

 had not germinated, under the head of those " under ground." 



The a(|ueous solution consisted chiefly of potass combined with 

 the carbonic or phosphoric acids, together with a slight admix- 

 ture of sulphate of lime, whilst the portion which the acid dis- 



