On the Existence of Organic Matter in Stalactites. 11 
As an example of the extent to which manganese exists in 
some of the older rocks of New England, I submit an analysis 
of an altered rock, occurring somewhat extensively in the neigh- 
borhood of Nahant. The analysis was made at my request by 
Mr. John Hague of the Cambridge Laboratory, and afterwards 
verified by Mr. Joseph Ela. 
i 03, 52:17 
Fe* 03; 9- 
Mn? 03, 26:72 
Al? O03, 8:43 
Ca O, 0:37 
Mg O,. ° 0:60 
HO, 2:02 
Total, 100-09 
2. On the existence of Organic Matter in Stalactites and Stalag- 
mites, forming Crystallized and Amorphous Crenate of Lime. 
In the eighth chapter of Liebig’s Agricultural Chemistry, ed- 
ited by Playfair, there is given the result of some examinations 
of stalactites from caverns in Germany, and from the vaults of 
old castles upon the Rhine, made with the view of ascertaining 
the fact of the presence, or absence of organic matter in these 
bodies, either combined or uncombi 
The result may be stated in the words of the author, Prof. 
Liebig. The stalactites from the caverns “contain no trace of 
vegetable matter, and no humic acid, and may be heated to red- 
ness without becoming black.” Int the stalactites from the vaults 
and cellars of old castles, he says, “we could not detect the 
smallest traces” of humic acid. “ There could scarcely be found 
a more clear and convincing proof of the absence of the humic 
acid of chemists in common vegetable mould.” Under the term 
humic acid, Prof. Liebig undoubtedly means to include all those 
organic acids arising from the decomposition of vegetable matter, 
and which have received the names of crenic, apocrenic, geic 
and humic acids. 
Having been informed by Dr. A. A. Hayes of Boston, that he 
had in numerous examinations arrived at results directly opposed 
to those of Prof. Liebig, I was induced at his suggestion to make 
an examination of a large number of stalactites and stal 
obtained from various localities, with reference yeas to the — 
ence or absence of organic matter in these 
The specimens examined were all from pee Seenel ovine 
tions, and were obtained from various parts of the United States; 
from Trieste in Austria, sean and the Sandwich Islands. In 
color they varied from an al ae white, to red, yellow : 
brown of different shades; and in crystalline character, from 
