THE VEGETABLE IVORY OF COMMERCE. 250 



I am convinced that, whenever the utilization of the sulphur in 

 alkali waste may be effected, it will he by means of this action of carbonic 

 acid. I demonstrated also, at the same period, that one equivalent of 

 carbonic acid would decompose one equivalent of sulphide of sodium, 

 producing mono-carbonate of soda and sulphide of hydrogen. My 

 present impression is, that Le Blanc's process will be modified by the 

 omission of lime when decomposing sulphate of soda, thus producing 

 sulphide of sodium ; and that the carbonic acid evolved by this decom- 

 position will be applied to decompose the sulphide of sodium, producing 

 carbonate of soda and eliminating sulphide of hydrogen, which latter 

 will be absorbed by peroxide of iron, and the product applied in the 

 manufacture of sulphuric acid. I have proved the practicability of all 

 these decompositions and actions, but the ideas have still to be worked 

 out into a practical operation, and I have now left the subject to 

 my juniors as one which presents an object worthy of their attain- 

 ment. 



Widnes, near Warrington, 



THE VEGETABLE IVORY OF COMMERCE. 



The vegetable ivory, or corozo nuts of commerce, are the fruit of the 

 Phytelephas macrocarpa, a South American palm. There is no official 

 record kept of the imports, but large quantities are frequently offered at 

 the public sales. In some years not less than 250 to 300 tons are im- 

 ported into England, and they have been occasionally sold wholesale at 

 8s. to 10s. a thousand.; but now that there is a more extensive demand 

 for them for buttons and other small fancy articles, 31. 10s. the thousand 

 for small, and 51. to 71. for large, is a more frequent price. In New 

 Granada they sell at about 57. the ton. They are imported from Savan- 

 illa, Carthagena, and Zapote. 



Dr. Seemann gives the following account of it : " The ivory plant is 

 confined to the continent of South America, where it grows between the 

 ninth degree of north, and the eighth of south latitude, and the 

 seventieth and seventy-ninth of west longitude. It inhabits damp locali- 

 ties, such as confined valleys, banks of rivers, and rivulets, and is found 

 not only on the lower coast region, as in Darien, but also on mountains 

 at an elevation of more than 3,000 feet above the sea, as in Ocana.- 

 Amongst the Spaniards, and their descendants, it is known by the name 

 of " Palma de rnarhl" (ivory palm) whilst its fruit is called by them 

 " Cabeza de Negro" (Negro's head), and its seed " Marfil vegetal" 

 (vegetable ivory). The Indians on the banks of the Magdalena teim the 

 plant " Tagua," those on the coast of Darien " Anta," and those in Peru 

 "Pullipunta' and "Homero." It is generally found in separate groves, 

 seldom intermixed with other trees or shrubs, and where even herbs are 



