136 QUARTERLY JOURNAL. 



If the example analyzed by Dr. lire, was a fair one, of which 1 

 confess I entertain some doubts, several discrepancies would appear 

 to exist between the two varieties examined. Before alluding to 

 these, however, I beg leave to state, that in my analysis, both of 

 the wool and of the seed, I contented myself with the determina- 

 tion of the proportion of the phosphates, without establishing 

 rigorously the ratio of the magnesia to the lime ; neither did my 

 analysis give by itself the chloride of potassium, (muriate of 

 potash.) Yet I am able to add, from a recurrence to my notes, 

 that this compound fell short of three per cent. I am greatly 

 surprised, however, to find the oxide of iron so high in the Sea- 

 Island variety, since in that of the Santee it cannot equal half a 

 part in one hundred. Should the absence of carbonate of magne- 

 sia in the Sea-Island variety be verified, and the extraordinary 

 content in the latter of chlorine and sulphuric acid be established, 

 the inorganic difference between the two staples, will, to say the 

 least, be as remarkable as those existing in their physical qualities. 



Comparative Statement. 

 Table I. 



Sea-Island. Santee. 



Earthy phosphates, ,„ 17 .4 25 .44 



Carbonate of lime, 10.6 8.87 



Carbonate of magnesia, 6 . 85 



Chloride of potassium, (muriate of potash,).. 9.9 3.00? 



Sulphate of potassa, 9.3 2 . 70 



Silica, 4.12 



Peroxide of iron, 3.0 0.50? 



Table II. 



In this table the acids are separated from their bases, and the 

 carbonic acid is omitted. 



Sea-Island. Santee. 



Potassa, 35.24 31.09 



Lime, 10.28 17.05 



Magnesia, 3.20 3.26 



Potassium, 5.70 1.50? 



Phosphoric acid, 9.84 12.30 



Sulphuric acid, 4.75 1.22 



Chlorine, 4.20 1.50? 



Peroxide of iron, 3 .00 less than 0.50 



Silica, 4.12 



Phosphate of potasa, , 1 .50 ? 



76.11 73.99 



Very respectfully, yours, 



CHARLES U. SHEPARD. 





