ST. JOHN: SABLE ISLAND. 49 
'Analysis of this sand after separation of the greater part of the fibre showed 
.0018 per cent of nitrogen. 
'Digestion of this sand with hydrochloric acid (sp. gr. 1.11.5) at the temper- 
ature of boihng water for 5 hours, showed that .412 per cent had passed into 
solution. 
'The examination of this acid solution gave the following data: 
'Oxide of iron and alumina 328 
'Lime 062 
'Phosphoric acid 012 
'Potash: — By the spectroscope, traces of potash were plainlj' discernable. 
With the usual reagent (platinic chloride) only a very faint precipitation was 
obtained when working on an acid solution from 10 grams of the sand. 
'No. 2. Sample of peaty soil from surface underlaid by sand in central part 
of island IJ^ miles east of residence of Superintendent where a large block of 
trees has been planted, locality known as Gourdeau Park, layer 3 to 4 inches 
thick. 
'Analysis of (air-dried) peaty soil: — 
p.c. 
'Moisture 4 . 87 
'Organic matter 22 . 22 
'Mineral matter practically sand 72. 91 
100 
'Nitrogen in organic matter 878 
No. 3. Representative sample of peaty soil covering a large area some dis- 
tance east of where No. 2 was taken, from 3 to 4 inches deep, and underlaid 
by sand. Weight soil, air-dried, 3 pounds 123^ oimces, containing 53^ ounces 
fibre. 
'Analysis of (air-dried) i^eaty soil: — 
p. c. 
'Moisture 1 . 48 
'Organic matter 8. 63 
'Mineral matter practically sand 89. 89 
100 
'Nitrogen in organic matter 271 
'No. 4. Sami)lc from a large lump of peaty soil found on the beach on the 
south shore, being washed by the sea. It contains a considerable amount of 
semi-decayed eel grass Zoslera marilima. Weight of soil, air-dried, 1 pound 
6 ounces, containing 2)4. ounces fibre, principally eel grass. 
'Analysis of (air-dried) poaty soil: — 
p. c. 
'Moisture 3 . 00 
'Organic matter 9 . 50 
'Mineral matter practically sand 87. 50 
100 
