Wellington Philosophical Society. 431 
An analysis showed it to contain 13°60 per cent. of silver, a rather large 
proportion, making it approximate in this respect to the least argentiferous 
gold from Coromandel, but having an excess of silver over the Whakamarina 
gold. ; 
3. “ Results of an Analysis of the fixed Constituents of Rain Water 
collected from a Galvanized Iron Roof,” by W. Skey. 
The analysis was undertaken more especially with the view to determine 
the quantity of zinc and arsenic present. 
One gallon of the water yielded 1:16 grain of matter, fixed at a dull 
heat, which analysis divided as follows :— 
Silica Da ve Ds di '656 
Sesquioxide of iron ds t ac MA 
Alumina ... e 112 
Lime 048 
Magnesia Traces 
Alkalies oe vis p pee 
Oxide of zine - ... i ae hte LAU 
Carbonic acid — ... a ee ... Traces 
Hydrochloric acid... sí 
1160 
4. “On supposed Coal from the Auckland Islands," by W. Skey. 
This proved to be crystalline hornblende. 
5. “ On Extract of Towai Bark,” by W. Skey. 
The bark was furnished by Mr. Grayling, of Taranaki. 
: ANALYSIS. 
Water A WA UA tir a ARD 
Catechuie acid — ... A s „> A2 
Tannic acid... = e Xe we DET 
Gum and undetermined matter ... ciui 
These results show that the substance is chemically allied to the gum 
kino of commerce. The towai is the Weinmannia sylvicola, and is closely 
allied to the tree that affords that gum, so that their value is about equal. 
6. “On the Water from the Whangaehu River, Onetapu, Auckland,” by 
W. Skey. 
The Whangaehu River rises from within a few yards of the source of the 
Waikato, on the eastern slopes of Ruapehu Mountain, in the interior of the 
North Island, and flows into the sea south of the Wanganui River. Its 
waters are intensely bitter, and of a milky colour for many miles from the 
