ANALYSES OF MAIZE. 253 



2. Small blue com, used for parching. 



After drying at 180°, it gave 



Starch 42-56 



Oil 5-30 



Sugar and extractive matter - - - - 15*32 



Dextrine or gum - - - • - - 7" 52 

 Fibre after digesting severally in alcohol and a 



weak solution of caustic potash - - - 8*56 

 Matter taken up from fibre by a weak solution of 



caustic potash - - • - • - 8-54 



Albumen 5*00 



Casein 2-04 



Zein or gluten - - - • - - 4*78 



99-64 S. 

 3. Early 8-rowed White-flint, raised by Mr. Bement of Albany. 



Calculated without the water. 



Starch 57-47 67-573 



Oil 2-55 2-909 



Fibre 6-07 6-925 



Dextrine or gum 4-01 4-575 



Sugar and extractive matter ... 13-21 15-072 



Albumen 2-27 2-590 



Casein 0'39 0-444 



Zein or gluten 1-67 1-905 



Water 11-46 



99-10 S. 99-793 



On the changes which have taken place in the relative proportions of the inorganic matter 

 at different periods of growth. That certain changes take place in the relative amounts of 

 the inorganic matter, appears highly probable from the phenomena of vegetation in gene- 

 ral. If, however, we collect the facts as established by the foregoing proportions (see pp. 

 160 - 192 inclusive) , it seems established that certain elements vary in their respective 

 amounts, when the young is compared with the old or mature plant. As silica, or silicic 

 acid, is one of the elements essential to the composition of the plant, it will be found to 

 have changed its relative proportions. In the leaves, for example, it increases very regu- 

 larly from the earliest stage till its maturity is acquired. In the sheaths, the same fact is 

 established : thus, in July, the percentage of silica was 11-60; in October, 51*25. In 

 the stalks, it was 2 • 50 in August ; in October, 12 • 85. The phosphates also change places ; 

 but instead of there being an increase in the leaves as they increase in age, it diminishes. 

 Thus the phosphates of the sheaths, in July, amount to 10 -40 per centum; they decrease 

 till about the 2d of August, when they amount to 8*9; they increase again to 12-70 per 



