ANALYSES OF THE SQUASH. 295 



II. THE SQUASH TEIBE. 



1. Analyses of two varieties of Squash and one of Pumpkin. 



PROPORTIONS. 



Per centum 



1. Vegetable Marrow, Boston Marrow (PI. 4, fig. 1), 1000-000 grs. 



Dry 124-905 12-490 



Water 875-095 



Ash 7-220 0-722 



2. Custard squash (PL 6, fig. 1) - 1000-000 grs. 



Dry 76-760 



Water 923-240 92-320 



Ash - 4-875 0-487 



3. Pumpkin - - - 1000-000 grs. 



Dry ,'■■•- - 70-100 



Water 929-900 92-990 



Ash 5-490 0-549 



The amount of water in the three foregoing vegetables, as will be seen, is large, a fact 

 with which all who observe are familiar. The amount of ash is small ; and its constitu- 

 tion is not very unlike that of the cereals and of the edible tuberous plants, except that 

 soda is in a great excess over the potash, if a single analysis is sufficient for establishing 

 a fact. 



The squash and the pumpkin, like all other domesticated plants, form numerous varie- 

 ties, which differ in external form and color ; and what is far more interesting, is their 

 differences in composition also ; differences, which, though they may not separate the 

 varieties far from each other, yet are so considerable that analysis readily discovers the fact. 

 Each seems to possess its own powers of appropriating nutriment, in a manner which has 

 been already pointed out in regard to varieties of maize growing upon the same ear. This fact 

 may have been acknowledged in some instances, yet I am not aware that it has been very 

 distinctly asserted before, and upon a sufficient authority, or based upon well ascertained 

 facts. Neither has it been stated that a great similarity exists between the edible tubers, 

 the cereals, and the esculents, those which are so highly esteemed and in almost universal 

 use. 



