175 
On the Inorganic Constituents of some Epiphytic 
Ferns. 
By W. A. Drxon, F.L.C., F.C.S., Lecturer on Chemistry at the 
Technical College, School of Arts, Sydney. 
[Read before the Royal Society of N.S.W., 3 August, 1881.] 
As it appeared probable that some interesting information might 
be obtained from an examination of the ash of plants growing in 
such positions as to have earned for themselves the reputation of 
living upon air, and as the subject as far as I am aware has not 
ver, 
and also a specimen of the second from near Newcastle. With those 
being made. It gave 5:35 per cent. of crude ash on the dried 
plant. Although these ferns could perhaps have been proc 
nearer at hand, it was thought preferable to get them from their 
native haunts in the brushes of the rivers, as anywhere in the 
neighbourhood of Sydney they would be sure to be contaminated 
with the dust with which the air is often plentifully laden. Along 
and bark of 
of the carbon, except on the immediate surface, was consumed, 
eaving a very clean ash, even when the bottom of the dish did 
not appear red by daylight. The surface portion could then be 
skimmed off, as it were, and returned to the bottom of the basin 
with the next charge. ne 
Contrary to what might be anticipated from the mode of their 
growth, it will be observed that the amount of ash in the growing 
fronds is quite as high as in the leaves of most plants, and those 
of A. nidus are rather rich in inorganic matter. 
