336 TlMEHRI. 
report by Mr. Francis, Government Chemist, of the gyp- 
sum submitted to him : — 
Government Laboratory, 18th Nov., 1885. 
Dear Sir, — I have analysed the sample of gypsum from Trinidad that 
you sent me and have found it to be of the following composition : — 
Calcium sulphate, 7660 ; calcium carbonate, 1*93; water, 20*40 ; silici- 
ous matter, 1*15; — total 100*08. Pure gypsum consists of calcium 
sulphate, 79/07 ; combined water, 20*93 = 100. Therefore, the Trinidad 
sample contains an amount of calcium sulphate equal to 96*88 per cent, 
of gypsum. I may mention that water forms an integral part of gypsum 
and when calcium sulphate occurs free from combined water, it is not 
called gypsum, but anhydrite. I believe there is plenty of almost pure 
gypsum to be obtained in Trinidad, and no doubt it may be economi- 
cally imported. I fancy, however, that some difficulty may be found in 
preparing it for use as manure. On the other hand, partially dehy- 
drated gypsum in fine powder can be bought in England for 11 shillings 
to 16 shillings per ton, and I think ought to be landed here at a not 
greater cost per ton than $10. 
A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Francis for his 
report. 
Curator. — The Secretary laid over a letter from the 
Government Secretary, dated 16th October, stating in 
reply to a letter from the Society dated 13th of that 
month, that the Society's letter of the 17th August 
had been laid before the Court of Policy, who 
had acquiesced in the provisional arrangement sug- 
gested by the Society tor carrying on the duties of 
the Curator of the Museum ; and adding that the 
Governor was not aware that there was any desire 
on the part of the Court of Policy, or Combined Court 
to alter the votes on the Estimates in favour of the Society, 
but that it would seem expedient, under the circum- 
stances, to postpone action as regards the appointment 
of a Curator until after the approaching meeting of the 
Combined Court. 
