Reports of the Chemical Committee. 
295 
yielded much less ammonia and phosphates than genuine 
Peruvian guano. 
As far as could be judged, this adulterated guano corresponded 
to a mixture of about three-fifths of genuine guano by weight, and 
two-fifths of yellow sandy loam, and similar adulterating materials ; 
and in comparison with genuine Peruvian guano, selling at 14Z. 10s. 
a ton, it was not worth more than 8Z. 14s. per ton. 
In reply to Dr. Voelcker's inquiries, Mr. Fitton wrote as 
follows : — 
" 1 am sorry the gnano is not pure ; I eDclose the invoice. I bought it 
from a salesman of Messrs. W. Shaw & Co., his name is Oakes. I told him 
distinctly when I bought it from him that I should get it analysed. He said 
ho should be glad if I would, as it was a pure guano, and it would be to his 
advantage." 
On receipt of Dr. Voelcker's report, Mr. Fitton communicated 
the result of his examination to the vendors, and in return received 
the following letter : — 
" The Old Hall, 39, Old Hall Street, Liverpool. 
" Dear Sir, — We have just discovered that our shipper has made a most 
egregious error in sending you Ujyper Peruvian instead of Peruvian Guano. 
Will you therefore please return it at once, as the wliole cargo is ordered for 
transhipment. Will you also kindly see Mr. Bowker, and request him to 
return his also. Will send the same quantity of Peruvian as soon as 
possible. 
" We are, dear sir, your obedient servants, 
jiro William Shaw and Co., 
"K. Oakes. 
" P.S. — Shall be in Cheshire to-morrow, and will call at your place." 
The guano was returned by Mr. Fitton, and genuine Peruvian 
sent instead of the so-called Upper-Peruvian. 
4. Dr. Voelcker again directs attention to the variable quality 
of genuine Peruvian guano. Peruvian guano, he regrets to say, 
appears to be nearly exhausted, and recent importations not only 
contain a considerable proportion of large stones and fragments 
of rock, but also fine sand, which cannot be readily detected 
without a chemical examination. The following analysis of 
a sample of Peruvian guano affords a good illustration of its 
increasing deterioration : — 
Composition of a Sample of Guano sent by Mr. John Baker, Hargrave, 
near KimhoUon. 
Moisture 11-22 
*Organic matter and salts of ammonia 38'89 
Phosphate of lime and magnesia (bone-earth) .. .. 23'92 
Alkaline salts 7-73 
Insoluble silicious matter (rock and sand) 18-24 
100-00 
* Containing nitrogen 8"75 
Equal to ammonia 10-62 
