Astronomy. 301 



the humus, 1-91 per cent, from the Casuarina wood and bark, 

 2-03 per cent. In an analysis of the ash (12-G5 per cent) of 

 Asplenium nidus, the author found no alumina, 28"2t> |>nt;isli, 

 23-10 potassium chloride, 13-26 sodium chloride, 18'56 lime, 0-87 

 iron sesquioxide, 5"53 phosphorus pent oxide, 11 I sulphur trinxide 

 and 2-15 soluble silica =99'56. The ash (1*81 per cent) from the 

 tree on which the Asplenium grew afforded 2212 potash and 3-93 

 potassium with no soda and traces only of sodium chloride, with 

 :'>S'|>7 lime and 17"07 soluble silica. 



The author remarks in conclusion tli 

 get their inorganic matters from the pla 



and that the sand often preseut in the humus indicates that, they 

 obtain much in the form of dust. 



IV. Astronomy. 



1. Elements of the great Comet of September, 1882, from obser- 

 vations on Sept. I'.fl', !!)•!» ami 'j()-9, made at the 1'. S. Xaval 

 Observatory. Communicated by the Superintendent of the U. S. 

 Naval Observatory, Washington, D. C. 

 T = Sept. 16-9836 Wash. M. T. 



e epiphytes do not 

 i which they grow ; 

 s indicates that they 





