ARSENIC IN ARTIFICIAL MANURES. G57 
application, much misunderstanding and acrimonious dis¬ 
putation has arisen, which, with a little more knowledge of the 
subjects on both sides, might have been avoided. 
In the preceding observations on the action of manures on 
soils and on plants are embodied the latest opinions on the 
subject, the results of the scientific investigations of the most 
distinguished chemist (Davy) of our age, whose attention was 
turned to the specific object of applying the aid of chemistry 
to promote the cultivation of the earth. The results of his 
labours are stated by him with much philosophic candour and 
becoming diffidence ; and though no improvements in practice 
have been derived from them, they have nevertheless greatly 
enlarged our knowledge on these points, and have shown that 
everything has been done that the best exertions of our scientific 
knowledge can do, and point out the path of investigation to 
future inquirers, who may by some single discovery amply 
compensate for all former disappointments, accelerate and 
greatly advance the progress of the art beyond what might 
have been expected during a great number of years of ordinary 
advancement, and introduce a new era into its history and 
application. Such studies, though not attended with evident 
practical utility, as all human speculations from their nature 
cannot be so, are highly deserving the attention of rational 
beings. By laying open the wonders of creation they increase 
our reverence and admiration of the great Source of being, who 
supplies every created thing with the proper nourishment and 
in the most regular order and harmony, by ways and means 
beyond our finding out. On these subjects it would be 
presumptuous to be sanguine and unphilosophical to de¬ 
spair.— Farmer’s Magazine . 
ON THE PRESENCE OF ARSENIC IN SOME ARTIFICIAL 
MANURES, AND ITS ABSORPTION BY PLANTS GROWN 
WITH SUCH MANURES. 
By Edmund William Davy, A.B., M.B., M.R.I.A, 
It is well know r n to Chemists that sulphuric acid or oil of 
vitriol, as it is met with in commerce, almost always contain 
variable proportions of arsenic; but it appears to me that 
this fact has been overlooked by the public, and that they 
are not aware to what extent this highly poisonous substance 
occurs in general in commercial sulphuric acid, and thus 
becomes the means by which arsenic enters the different sub¬ 
stances in whose preparation that acid is employed. 
