50 Analysis of Soils. [Jan., 



is there known as the Moose-wood, as the Moose feeds upon its 

 branches and bark which it strips off with its teeth. Many trees 

 are met with in the Adirondack woods, which have been broken 

 and peeled by this animal. It is for this reason that it has 

 received its name, Moose by the Indian, which in their language 

 signiiies woodeater. 



The ]Mountain Maple (Acer montanum) is the smallest of the 

 family of maples. As its name implies, it is a mountain species, 

 and loves those places which are shaded and and damp, where 

 the mountain rill dashes over the rocks and sends up its spray; 

 there its ^branches bend down to the water's edge and choke up 

 the fisherman's path, and hedge in the stream, as it seeks its way 

 to the plains below. 



These are all American species of the maple family ; of them- 

 selves for ornamental shade trees, they are by no means of an in- 

 ferior kind. The Acer dasycarpum is a fine tree for its shade, and 

 especially the silvery hue of its under side, which the breeze con- 

 stantly lifts, and which too creates a beautiful shifting scene by 

 its changing greens, and its lights below. The Striped Maple is 

 esteemed in gardenesque landscapes by the English. It likes the 

 dry hill side, but still may be grown in any place when planted 

 with care. The Maples have none of those properties which 

 make shrubs or trees suitable for hedges — their determination 

 upwards is too strong and their branches too sparse to form a close 

 fence. But then they fill their own spheres of usefulness in the 

 vegetable kingdom, and increase the comforts of life in many 

 ways which may have escaped our notice. 



PI. 2. Acer dasycaiyum. Fig. A. cluster of fertile flowers, natural size. 

 Fig. 1. perloct flower. Fig. 2, magnified. Fig. 3, the same laid open. Fig. 

 4, ovary and styles. Fig. 5, sterile flower. Fig. 6, abortive ovary. B, 

 branch with fruit. 



ANALYSIS OF SOILS. 

 We received sometime since, a small box of geological speci- 

 mens from our friend and correspondent, Col. Wailes of Wash- 

 ington, Mississippi. The box contained four or five specimens of 

 marl and soil, concerning which, it was said that several friends 

 would be pleased if an analysis could be made; and inasmuch as 

 we are disposed to please our friends, we took them in hand and 

 have completed the analysis, by the aid of Mr. Ball and Mr. 

 Salisbury, who are rendering us assistance in the laboratory at the 

 present time. 



No. L Surface soil (Prairie) Hinds Co., Ms. Color, black- 

 friable. Analysis: 



Water, 10.40 



Organic matter, 12.20 



