364 H. FOSHIDA 



of gum was obtained, which when burnt left 5 per cent, a.'^h, contain- 

 ing 7.8 per cent of its weight of alumina.* 



L'Hôte's recognition of aluminium as a normal component of a 

 flowering plant w^as made in the juice of the grape, all samples of the 

 fresh fruit and of wine, except one, examined by him, having yielded 

 alumina in small quantity. 



There being little or no evidence, except my own, as to whether 

 aluminium is or is not to be ranked among the mineral constituents 

 of flowering plants, I undertook, at the suggestion of my respected 

 colleague, Dr. Divers, to make a few careful examinations of some beans 

 and grains, in order, if possible, to decide the matter. These were 

 completed two or three months ago, and before the notice in the 

 Chemical News of L'Hôte's interesting observations, or the Comftes 

 rendus had come to hand. 



The fact that the soil of the plain of Musashi, in which Tokyo is 

 situated, and which is of volcanic origin, is remarkable for the large 

 proportion of alumina in it soluble in hydrochloric acid, gave promise 

 that, if anywhere, then certainly here would aluminium be found in 

 flowering plants. 



The samples examined, for which I have to thank Dr. 0. Kellner, 

 had been grown on the farm lands of the Imperial College of Agricul- 

 ture, at Komaba, near Tokyo. Each one was carefully picked over, 

 and all imperfect and visibly soiled grains rejected. 



The peas and beans were soaked and well washed in water. 

 Some of these were rubbed with cloths, and left to dry in the air and 

 sun. 'J'he rest were, in their soddened state, broken up by hand in 



* Aa reconlc'd by me at tlie time in the Jonni. Cliem. Soc. Siues then, however, I have 

 detenuiuecl the phosphoric acid, which I had regarded as preseut in too small quantity to need 

 est'matiou, and as I now find it to be more considerable than I thonf,'lit, I believe that 6.3 per cent. 

 more closely expresses the proportion of alumina than 7.8 per cent, as formerly stated. At the 

 first opportunity I sliall redetermine it. 



