300 Scientific Intelligence. 



processes, from which it derives its common name of stag's-horn 

 tern. As the fern ^rmvs outward from the tree stem hy the addi- 

 tion of plate upon plate, a basket-like space is left behind the 

 crown, or perhaps it should be rather called coronet, to distinguish 

 it from the growing crown of the plant; and this space forms a 

 receptacle for rain, leaves and dust, while the dead plates form 

 a humus-like ma>s inter-v|ier-ed with -mull rootlets, which often 

 weighs several hundred weight. In this peaty matter an abundant 

 fauna finds shelter, the specimen which was obtained for examina- 

 tion containing earthworms, centipedes, two species of ant, and 

 several beetles. Some of these probably bring nutriment to the 

 plant from without." 



The ash from the live fronds amounted to 8-62 per cent; that 

 from the humus and roots, 3-21 and 2-02 per cent; that from the 

 wood and bark of the tree on which it grew, 1*27 per cent. The 

 analyses of the asli afforded : 



Manganese oxide, Mn 3 

 Phosphorus pentoxide . 



to the stems of < asuarinas and other trees, afforded to I ] 

 of ash from live fronds of a plant grown on a rock, and 

 plant mown on a Casuarina. The ash contained: 



