54 



On the Inorganic Constituents of Plants, 



about as much inorganic matter as those of cabbages and other 

 similar plants and that there was but a trifling difference evident, 

 whether the plants had their roots in the soil, or in the air. The 

 proportion of earthy matter in a plant of Catasetum grown in soil 

 and a plant of Bletia, grown wholly suspended in the air, were 



Though the whole quantity of earthy matter present in the plant, 

 as shewn by the proportion contained in the dry leaves and bulbs 

 was nearly similar, very considerable difference was found in the 

 nature of these substances ; a proximate analysis gave 



The examination of good and bad Timber, with a view to trace 

 out any connection between its qualities and the inorganic sub- 

 stances it contains, is a subject requiring many experiments, and 

 necessarily occupying a very long time. The following experi- 

 ments, however, are complete in themselves, and possess consider- 

 able interest in connection with the present subject. In following 

 out the general scheme of inquiry, a large collection of samples of 

 wood from different localities, grown in various situations, and 

 under various conditions has been made ; amongst these, was a 

 series of specimens of oak wood, for which I am indebted to Sir 

 William Symonds, and which, in addition to their being from 

 different parts of the world, were all of known quality, each sample 

 being marked with a note of its quality deduced from actual expe- 

 rience. It is to be regretted that the majority of them were bad 

 or inferior, even those from localities whence the very best wood 

 is usually imported, hence, of course, they cannot be regarded as 



