On a New Form of Phosphorite found at Kicliinev. 249 



Having such a small portion to work on of course prevented 

 my taking a good average sample. 



The discovery both of a new form and of a new field of 

 phosphates is interesting both in a scientific and commercial 

 point of view, as these mineral phosphates are now so largely 

 used in the manufacture of artificial manures, for which pur- 

 pose they are treated with sulphuric acid, which transforms 

 the insoluble tricalcic phosphate into soluble monocalcic 

 phosphate, and forms what is known in the agricultural 

 world as superphosphate of lime. 



Many of these minerals, although containing a large 

 quantity of phosphoric acid, are unsuitable for making a 

 first-class manure, on account of the excessive amount of 

 iron with which they are contaminated. This, on storing, 

 causes the manure to " go back," as it is technically called ; 

 that is to say, a portion of the soluble phosphoric acid is 

 acted on by the iron and rendered insoluble. 



This specimen, however, contains only a small percentage of 

 iron, and at the same time the P2O5 is in abundance, and 

 appears in every way suitable for manufacturing purposes. 



I have not touched on the geological interest attached to 

 the specimen, as I must confess my inability to do so. I have 

 put together all the information I could gather regarding its 

 chemistry, hoping to elicit some remarks from our geological 

 members, whom I trust it will interest. 



VIII. Mr E. Scot-Skirving read a paper on the so-called 

 species of Wild Goose, Anser paludosus. 



Wednesday, 20th March 1878. — J. Falconer King, Esq., President, 

 in the Chair. 



The following gentlemen were balloted for and duly elected as Resident 

 Members : 



James Duncan Smith, Esq., S.S.C., 30 Buckingham Terrace; Robert 

 Carmichael, Esq., Student, University of Edinburgh, 13 Waverley Place, 

 Leith; William Alexander M'Laren, Esq., W.S., 12 Chester Street; Rev. 

 James Stewart, Parish Minister of Wilton, Roxburghshire; Peter Sieve- 

 wright, Esq., Actuary, 12 Danube Street; Robert Clark, Esq., F.R.S.E., 7 

 Learmonth Terrace; Alexander Somervail, Esq., 73 George Street; John R. 

 S. Hunter, Esq., LL.D., Daleville, Braidwood, Lanarkshire; Joseph T. 

 Gray, Esq., M.A., 14 Findhorn Place; Thomas White, Esq., S.S.C, 114 

 George Street; Mitchell Thomson, Esq., 7 Carlton Terrace. 



