ANALYSES OF MAIZE. 
253 
2. Small blue corn , used for parching. 
After drying at 180°, it gave 
Starch - - - - - - - - 42-56 
Oil ........ 5-30 
Sugar and extractive matter - - - - 15-32 
Dextrine or gum - - - - - - 7*52 
Fibre after digesting severally in alcohol and a 
weak solution of caustic potash - - - 8*56 
Matter taken up from fibre by a weak solution of 
caustic potash - - - - ■ - 8*54 
Albumen ....... 5*00 
Casein - - - - - - - - 2-04 
Zein or gluten - - - » - - 4*78 
99-64 S. 
3. Early 8-rowed White-flint , raised by Mr. Bement of Albany. 
Calculated without the water. 
Starch .... 
- 
57-47 
67-573 
Oil. 
- 
2-55 
2-909 
F ibre .... 
. 
6-07 
6-925 
Dextrine or gum 
. 
4-01 
4-575 
Sugar and extractive matter 
- 
13-21 
15-072 
Albumen .... 
. 
2-27 
2-590 
Casein .... 
- 
0-39 
0-444 
Zein or gluten ... 
- 
1-67 
1-905 
Water .... 
' 
11-46 
99-10 S. 
99-793 
On the changes which have taken place in the relative proportions of the inorganic matter 
at different periods of groivth. That certain changes take place in the relative amounts of 
the inorganic matter, appears highly probable from the phenomena of vegetation in gene¬ 
ral. If, however, we collect the facts as established by the foregoing proportions (see pp. 
160 - 192 inclusive), it seems established that certain elements vary in their respective 
amounts, when the young is compared with the old or mature plant. As silica, or silicic 
acid, is one of the elements essential to the composition of the plant, it will be found to 
have changed its relative proportions. In the leaves, for example, it increases very regu¬ 
larly from the earliest stage till its maturity is acquired. In the sheaths, the same fact is 
established : thus, in July, the percentage of silica was 11-60; in October, 51’25. In 
the stalks, it was 2 • 50 in August; in October, 12-85. The phosphates also change places ; 
but instead of there being an increase in the leaves as they increase in age, it diminishes. 
Thus the phosphates of the sheaths, in July, amount to 10-40 per centum; they decrease 
till about the 2d of August, when they amount to 8*9; they increase again to 12*70 per 
