ANALYSES OF TELLOW DOCK. 



305 



EXAMINATION OF THE YELLOW DOCK dRumex crispus). 



This plant, which is regarded as a troublesome weed, has some valuable properties which 

 make it worthy of a passing notice in this place. My assistant, Mr. Salisbury, has given 

 a very full account of its properties and composition in the American Journal of Agriculture 

 and Science, which the reader may consult. 



The plant, as usual, was divided into several parts ; the leaves, seed, stem and root. 



The organic composition of the leaves, when in their mature state, is as follows : 



Starch ........ none. 



Fibre with a little chlorophyl .... 1'755 



Albumen 0-030 



Casein 0-200 



Dextrine 0-920 



Bitter extract 3-570 



Lignin containing ash 8*053 .... 9-685 



Dry matter 16-160 



Water 83-680 



99-680 S. 

 The petioles contain nearly one per centum of free oxalic acid. 



The ash of the leaves is composed of the following elements : 



Carbonic acid 12-400 



Silica 3-900 



Earthy phosphates 24-000 



Lime 1-633 



Magnesia 0-880 



Potash 10-613 



Soda 22-880 



Sodium 3-889 



Chlorine 5-920 



Sulphuric acid 1-477 » 



Organic acid ...... 8-500 



96-092 S. 



[AaRicraTusAL Report — Vol. ii.] 39 



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