516 



Scientific Proceedings, Royal Dublin Society. 



The depression of freezing-point due to electrolytes was calculated, and 

 plotted in fig. 1 (A,). 



To account for the neutral reaction to litmus, the percentage of combined 

 carbon dioxide in the soil was determined. This was then calculated as 

 calcium carbonate ; the latter would neuti'alize any free acids produced by 

 heating. 



These results, with the percentage of moisture in the unheated soil, are 

 given as follows in Table II. 



Table 11. 



Moisture in soil sample, 

 Combined carbon dioxide, 

 Calcium carbonate, 



Percentages calculated 



on air- dry weight. 



1-75 



5-5 



12-5 



In a preliminary set of experiments it had been noticed that the soil 

 heated to higher temperatures absorbed a larger amount of water. In a 

 second set of experiments the amount of water absorbed in each case was 

 noted. The results are given in Table III. 



Table III. 



(These results ai'e plotted in fig. 2." 



