On Bats Guano. 
69 
which appears to constitute the cavernous rocks in which the 
accumulations of bats' excrements are found. 
Guanahani guano is often too damp and lumpy for direct 
application to the land in its natural condition, and requires to 
be dried, sifted, or otherwise manipulated before it can be used 
with advantage for agricultural purposes. 
The following analyses, made with average samples repre- 
senting whole cargoes recently imported into England, will give 
an idea of the general character of the Guanahani guano of 
commerce : — 
Composition of Guanahani or Bahamas Guano of Commerce. 
Tin 
no 
1 
no 
o 
A. 
nu. o. 
No 
4_ 
No. 5. 
No 
6. 
27* 
05 
23 
46 
20- 
61 
31 
49 
14 
72 
11 
38 
21-18 
11 
10 
10-74 
11 
18 
13 
77 
12 
34 
21-09 
12- 
61 
15-20 
13 
99 
25 
75 
30 
90 
16-04 
32 
78 
26-70 
25 
96 
1 
26 
1 
05 
4-08 
1 
24 
•91 
2 
97 
Magnesia, alkaline salts, &c.\ 
(not determined) . . . . / 
12 
66 
17 
83 
6'89 
20 
02 
14-19 
13 
37 
Insoluble siliceous matter . . 
4 
79 
3 
•04 
2-99 
1 
64 
1-14 
1 
04 
100 
00 
100 
•00 
100-00 
100 
-00 
100-00 
100^0 
* Containing nitrogen - . 
•68 
•53 
1-93 
•54 
•84 
•60 
Equal to ammonia 
•83 
•64 
2-34 
•64 
1-02 
-72 
f Containing nitrogen .. 
33 
•27 
1-06 
•32 
•24 
-77 
Equal to ammonia 
■40 
•33 
1-29 
•39 
•29 
-93 
Total nitrogen 
1 
•01 
•80 
2-99 
•86 
1^08 
1 
•37 
Equal to ammonia 
1 
•23 
•97 
3-63 
1 
•03 
1»31 
1 
•64 
X Equal to tribasic phos-l 
phate of lime . . . . / 
30 
•06 
26 
•94 
46-04 
27 
•53 
33^19 
30 
•54 
With the exception of No. 3, all the samples, it will be seen, 
were comparatively poor in nitrogenous organic matters. All 
contained some nitrates and phosphate of lime, the latter 
averaging in the different cargoes from 27^ per cent, to 46 per 
cent. Except No. 3, all contained considerable quantities of 
carbonate of lime. 
From these analyses it appears that Bahamas guano is not 
suitable as a manure for corn-crops; but, like other phosphatic 
guanos, it may be usefully applied to root-crops or to worn-out 
pasture-land. 
It need hardly be mentioned that Guanahani guano of so 
variable a composition should be bought on the strength of a 
guaranteed analysis, at the market-rates at which ammonia and 
phosphate of lime can be bought at present in similar manures. 
