{TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION B. 867 
the absorption of the hydric ferrous carbonate into the system. he Valedon 
spring has proved an effective cure for anzmia, as far as this ailment can be 
relieved by the use of chalybeate waters. 
Denoting by the term purity ratio the ratio of the total mineral ingredients to 
the unit of hydric ferrous carbonate, and comparing the composition of the most 
famous pure chalybeate waters of ths world, it is found that, as regards purity 
ratio, the Caledon waters hold, with the waters of Spa, the first place; while 
physically they are unique, no other pure chalybeate water approaching in 
temperature the Caledon water. 
2. The Need for Organised Chemical Research in Cape Colony. 
By C. F. Jurirz, M.A. 
In the past very scanty attention has been paid to purely scientific research in 
Cape Colony, and in the records of the two colonial institutions whose functions 
consist in encouraging scientific inquiry there is scarcely a trace of any chemical 
research undertaken for its own sake. Half a century ago Pappe remarked on 
the probability that many useful drugs awaited discovery in South Africa, and 
deplored the absence of scientific research. Yet practically all information 
possessed on that subject at the present day is due to the farmer, the traveller, 
and the native. 
Several investigations have, however, been made in the Government labora- 
tories under the author’s charge, which reveal the need of more thorough research. 
Of these instances are given. 
Considerable tracts of common were found, through deficiency in phosphates, 
to produce stunted oat crops. This led the author to recommend a chemical 
survey of the soils of the Colony. An area of 27,000 square miles has been 
examined, on an average one sample being taken from every sixty square miles, 
This work, at first interrupted by the war, has now been entirely suspended on 
account of the financial depression. The investigation had shown that, out of 
eighteen divisions examined, eight were deficient in lime, two poor in potash, and 
thirteen were lacking in phosphates. 
A curious feature in the soil of many parts of the Colony is the existence of 
small hillocks, about three or four feet in height and twenty or more yards across, 
There is a tradition amongst farmers that such hillocks are more fertile than the 
surrounding soil, and recent chemical analyses have confirmed this view. The 
origin of these hillocks is unknown, but a popular idea is that they owe their 
existence primarily to the labours of ants, beetles, and other insects. 
The soils of the Colony do not appear to depend for their fertility upon the 
nature of the underlying geological formation to the extent that may be supposed. 
Primary soils have been observed to be poorly supplied with the essential elements 
of fertility, while alluvial soils, originally derived from the same rock, are incom- 
parably more fertile. 
Many soils overlying metamorphic slates, sandstones, and intrusive granite 
are poor in lime, and it has been found that fruit-trees growing on such soils are 
the more liable to the attacks of insects and fungi, while the wheat crops are the 
more easily affected by rust. 
Examinations of some of the indigenous fodder-plants of the Karroo have been 
made. Certain of these plants, such as Mesembryanthemum spinosum and Angea 
capensis, supply the stock with moisture as well as with solid nutriment in an 
arid district where droughts are frequent. The Euphorbia Caput Meduse would 
form a very succulent and nutritious cattle-food if means could be devised for 
ridding it of a resin which seems to prevent its use. 
The natural pests of the country include the prickly pear and locusts, and 
efforts are being directed towards turning these to good account. The former, if 
rid of its spines, possesses all the chemical elements of a nutritive cattle-food, and 
dried locusts are also valuable in this respect. For the latter a demand is being 
created for poultry feeding. . 
