1 69 Semitic Intelligence: 
they have 80 carts and horses, and as many men, daily employe 
ed in carting the ashes. These are carefully separated from the 
street manure, and stored under long shades on one of the 
quays, where they lie ready for exportation. For infbrrtiation 
regarding the employment and utility of these ashes in agricul- 
ture, reference may be made to the publications of Sir John 
Sinclair and Mr -Radcliffe. They are also found useful in hor- 
ticulture. M. de Wulf of Ghent, particularly recommends 
their use both in the garden and orchard. He observes, how- 
ever, that they should not be laid on the borders very recently 
after being taken from the fire, for in that case they would prove 
injurious; but that after being kept for a short time, and if they 
be applied in a small quantity, they never fail to produce the 
best effects. , M. de Wulf particularly mentions, that fruit-trees 
in a languishing state in his garden, have been restored to vi- 
gour, by tho application of ashes. He considers that they not 
only tend to open the soil, and to stimulate it, but also assist in 
affording additional nourishment to the plants, by means of the 
water wffieh they absorb, and gradually give out; and that by 
carrying into the soil principles calculated to attract the carbonic 
acid of the atmosphere, the solubility of the portions adapted 
for the food of plants is promoted. If no rain or dew fall soon 
after the application, slight waterings from the rose of a water- 
ing-pot are proper. When ashes are old, or have been long kept, 
they may be spread in the garden in greater quantity : they then 
not only help to keep the surface of the soil damp, (an object of 
gVeat importance in a light sandy soil, and under a parching sun), 
but attract and preserve much carbonic acid. When old garden 
soils are overloaded with rich mould, or where too frequent 
manurings have been given for a series of years, stale ashes are 
found the best restorative of the soil to a due state of sharpness 
and activity . — HorU Tour , p. 288. 
ZOOLOGY. 
35. On the White and Black Ants of India — The follow- 
ing observations on the habits of two species of Indian ants, 
were communicated to me by a relative, who resided some time 
in India. They are more worthy of attention, because they 
* This interesting notice was communicated by Dr Traill of Liverpool. 
