30 - ON THE INORGANIC CONSTITUENTS 
From the locality occupied by these plants, and the actual — 
curr f copper in their ashes, one would almost naturally — 
conclude that they would contain a very considerable proportion 
sulphuric oxide, but the analyses show that they actually contain 
less than those of the same species from the Clarence. 
Casuarina wood and bark. 
Percentage of ash of composition given, 2-03. 
Analysis of Ash. 
Potash = ag we mg! 
Soda ... waa sx ae ji Se 
Chloride of sodium... — oe ae 
Lime ... ae Eve ve ee see rae 
Magnesia... = = ae epee) Se 
Magnesia oxide(M;Os) .- 1 
Mpiiciic . ..  . oo ee 
Sulphuric oxide... sk si ... traces 
Soluble silica = is ¢ 3 ae 
: 100°39 
The tree from which the ash analysis is given above was not the 
actual one upon which the ferns grew, but was of the same species 
(C. padulosa) from a different locality. 
have arrived at maturity, and as the fronds die their bases and the 
leaves between them are cemented into a humus mass by rootlets. 
e ash of the live fronds of the specimen examined retained 
the shape and markings of the fronds when allowed to burn gently 
and without disturbance. 
Analysis of live fronds. 
Percentage of ash of composition given, 12°35. 
Potash oe ae pA 
Chloride of potassium ae 
Chloride of sodium... oo 
ime ... uy « 3 
esia ab it 
Ferric oxide "spaces 
Manganese eS 
Phosphoric oxide eo 
Sulphuric oxide ...  «. “7 ae 
Soluble silica = vee oe reas 
99°56 
