﻿182 Quarterly Abstract of European Chemistry. 



consequence of this, the soluble part afforded a deep reddish brown 

 solution. It is supposed that this humate of ammonia will act power- 

 fully upon vegetation in addition to the other ingredients, which are 

 those commonly contained in guano. The analysis of the specimen 

 in question gave volatile ammoniacal salts — viz. 



Oxalate, phosphate, and humate of ammonia, and organic 



matter, containing 5 per cent, of ammonia, . . 25-00 

 Fixed alkaline salts, consisting of muriate, sulphate, and 

 phosphate of potash, 



Phosphates of lime and magnesia, 

 Water, 



Earthy matter, .... 



1100 



3200 



3000 



200 



10000 

 W. Francis (Chem. Gazette, May, 1844) has also analyzed the Af 

 rican guano, and found 5-50 per cent, of humic acid, and 9-70 of am 

 monia ; 100 parts furnished volatile salts, as 

 Oxalate, muriate and carbonate of ammonia, combustible 

 organic matter containing 5-50 of humic acid, uric acid, 

 and extractive matter, and 9-70 ammmonia, = . . 42-59 

 Water, 27-13 



Phosphates of lime and magnesia, .... 22*39 



Residue insoluble in nitric acid, (sand,) . . . 0-81 



Alkaline salts, chiefly phosphates and chlorides, with a 



small quantity of sulphate, 7-08 



100 00 



From this analysis the author supposes that the African guano has 

 been subjected more to the decomposing influence of the atmosphere 

 and water than the South American ; and in support of this, mentions 

 a remarkable specimen examined by Fritzsche— it was a dry, coarse 

 powder, containing some large compact masses of a yellowish brown 

 color. The compact portion exhibited a stratified appearance, the 

 strata being compressed and undulating. The strata were of two 

 "ids, one of a brownish yellow color, consisting principally of urate 

 am moma, the other of a blackish gray or dark brown, being princi- 

 pa y clay. Both layers alternated regularly ; all the layers of clay 



se^mto mSOluble white coatin g of urate of ammonia, which would 



thro h P I° Ve that lhe gUan ° in 1 uest - on has acquired its present state 



fish b agenC> ' ° f Water> Feathers > vertebra?, and fragments of 



- ones occur frequently, as well as remains of plants and seeds. 



wUh S!TJi aff ° rded 37 Per CenL of anh y°'°us uric acid ; another 

 tion of »L n ar S lllaceou s matter gave 59 per cent. The interposi- 

 tion ot a rgill aceous masses between the urate of ammonia and the 



