406 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



and by tlie intermediate action of the exhaust, they are thrown into con- 

 stant motion, and thus beco;ne perfectly round and hard. 



Manufacture of Straw Goods. 



The discussion of this subject was continued from the last meeting-. Dr, 

 D. D. Parmelee read the following paper: 



HISTORY OF STRAW. 



The native country of wheat is unknown, but is supposed to have been 

 Central Asia. 



The original locality of oats has not been satisfactorily ascertained. It 

 grows wild in Sicily, and is said to have been seen by Anson in the island 

 of Juan Fernandez, on the coast of Chili. 



Syria, Armenia and the southern provinces of Russia have been severally 

 indicated as the native country of rye. 



The original country of the cultivated barley is unknown. It grows wild 

 in Sicily. 



There are a -variety of species of each of these, which are interesting to 

 the botanist, but not directly so in connection with the subject of this 

 evening. 



C0MP0SITI9N OF STRAW. 



In 1,000 lbs. of perfectly dry straw we have, by analysis, the following 

 constituents: 



Constituenta. Wheat straw. Rye straw. Barley straw. Oat straw. 



Organic substances 9G0 970 955 950 



Nitrogen therein 4 .S .3 3 



Inorganic substances 40 30 45 60 



Potash and soda 6 5^ 12 14 



Lime and magnesia 3 3^ 6 5 



Phosphoric acid 2 1^ 2 1^ 



Silica 27 18 23 25 



The remaining minute inorganic constituents (for example, common salt, 

 sulphuric acid, salts, etc.,) have not been specified, for the sake of sim- 

 plicity. 



Silica constitutes an important proportion of the constituents of straw. 

 And there have been those of sufficient leisure who have made globules of 

 glass from this silica. 



In this connection it may be mentioned that silica is found in the joints 

 of the bamboos, in the form of small round globules, which have received 

 the name of Tabashhee?; aud are distinguished by their remarkable optical 

 properties. 



For industrial purposes ,we regard straw simply as Lignin, encased in an 

 armor of Silica to protect it from destructive influences and give firmness 

 to the stalk; while the other ingredi'ents serve as a kind of cement, adding 

 tenacity and flexibility to the whole. 



Therefore what is true of lignin generally, as hemp, linen, cotton, etc., in 

 respect to bleaching, in a chemical regard, is applicable to straw, due re- 

 ference to their physical conditions being in mind, and hence some altera- 

 tions in the mechanical parts of the processes. 



