264 
Chemical Analysis. 
Roots and 
Leaves. 
Tendrils, 
and Fruits. 
Green 
Woody 
Stem s. 
Stems. 
16 
42 
42 
per cent 
per cent 
per cent 
12*00 
0*80 
12*00 
84*36 
80*14 
84*20 
3*64 
10*06 
3*80 
0*78 
3*81 
1*04 
36*00 
30*80 
29*60 
8*37 
13*10 ' 
14*46 
15*24 
13*84 
20*84 
2*20 
4*22 
4*61 
3*06 
8*02 
6*46 
2*80 
6*03 
3*21 
8*50 
5*00 
1*36 
0*45 
6*48 
0*24 
Whole 
Plant 
air-dried 
per cent 
11*07 
82*71 
6*39 
2*16 
31*13 
12*91 
17*00 
4*06 
6*57 
4*32 
4*03 
2*89 
Moisture at 100° C 
Organic matter 
Ash 
Nitrogen 
The ash contains 
Lime 
Magnesia 
Potash 
Phosphoric acid 
Sulphuric acid . 
Chlorine 
Soluble silicates 
Sand ... 
Tic proportion of nitrogen is very similar to that in 
some of the leguminous plants, but in this case it has been 
entirely derived from the soil. The chief ash constituents 
al bed are lime potash, and magnesia, with a small 
it of phosphoric and sulphuric acids. 
The pi? 1 appears to have the power of readily decom- 
posing siJici - >s * All the nitrogen and mineral matter is, of 
course, returned to the soil on the decay of the plant, and 
left in a readily a\ ailable condition for the other product. 
An average growth of the plant 10 in. deep yields about 
26,100 lb. of fresh green material per acre, or, allowing 70 
per cent, of moisture lost on air drying, equals 7,830 lb. of 
air dried material. This amount of matter would contain 
vthe following quantities of the chief constituents per acre 
169 lb. nitrogen . . 500 lb. ash 
the latter containing— 
155*6 lb. lime 32*8 lb. sulphuric acid 
64*5 lb. magnesia 21*6 lb. chlorine 
85*0 lb. potash 21*5 lb. soluble silicates 
20*3 lb. phosphoric acid 
Another plant of somewhat similar growth, which dur- 
ing the last few years has spread enormously in Ceylon, is 
the Mikania scandens, belonging to the natural order Com- 
positor. It can be seen covering the scrub jungle and trees 
along the Colombo line from Peradeniya, and has spread 
down the Malta weli-ganga to Trincomalee. Under suitable 
