By Edward Solly, Esq. 



55 



average samples but rather as exceptions. The proportion of 

 earthy matter which they contained, together with their locality, 

 and relative goodness, is contained in the following Table. 



The larger proportion of earthy matters in the oak of southern 

 countries is remarkable, as contrasted with the smaller quantity 

 found in English oak, and the oak of northern countries generally. 

 Still from this table no general conclusion can be drawn as to the 

 relation between the inorganic substances and the quality of the 

 wood. 



To the kindness of Sir W. Symonds, I am also indebted for 

 samples of English oak and Danzig fir in the first stages of dry 

 rot. In both of these, the proportion of inorganic matter is very 

 large ; the result of the examination of these samples, together with 

 that of two good samples of sound Memel and Danzig fir, is given 

 in the following Table. 



Oak Timber begmning to decay ^738 3230 32 47 



Generally speaking the young parts of plants contain far more 

 Inorganic matter than the older parts ; after a certain time, and 

 particularly when woody fibre is formed, the organic part of the 



