1 Noy., 1902.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 363 
Science. 
MANGROVE BARK FOR TANNING. 
Some time ago some samples of mangrove bark were received by the 
Department of Agriculture from Mr. W. I’. Munro, Cairns, with a request 
that the value of the bark as a tanning material might be determined. The 
samples were submitted to Mr. J. C. Briinnich, Agricultural Chemist, who 
furnished the following analysis :— 
Per cent. 
Moisture an ag ay te ax, Wet 
Resinous gums, Xe. act i Ree “75 
Ash (insoluble) A on a coy SONS) 
Matters soluble in water... ~ .. 47°90 
of which— = 
Tannic acid... ra ee ans hy BS Hafe) 
Pectin bodies, &e. ... on oe ern s7 0) 
Soluble ash ... Pe ace rf an Ito) 
The analysis shows that the bark is of very good quality, containing a 
much higher percentage of tannic acid than either Tasmania or New Zealand 
wattle bark, and also less foreign inactive bodies. The former shows 29°60 
per cent. and the latter 27°65 per cent. of tannic acid. 
A report by Messrs. Ranfer, Ryl, Pratt, and Co., London, on mangrove 
bark from Cooktown stated that ‘‘ by appearance, the bark is of good quality 
and worth about £5 per ton.” 
The following is the result of analyses made by Messrs. Lewis and Peat, 
89 Lime street, London, H.C. :— 
Extract. By Te Water. ea 
Tannin ... bon es ... 36:00 ~ 28:80 
Extraction and colouring matter 24°99 nes 24°61 
Insoluble matter nt tee 50 0 1°95 
Mineral sey) ah ap “4MOy as 5:29 
Water ... SB <r wee 8444 a 39°35 
100:00 per OO,00 
Both the extracts are readily soluble and may be acceptable for tanners’ 
use, if the colour is approved. 
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF THE BOTTLE-TREE, 
(Sterculia rupestris, Benth.) 
On account of the extreme scarcity of food for stock, resulting from the 
protracted drought in Queensland, the chemical section of the Department of 
Agriculture has extended its investigations to cover various vegetable growths, 
some of which are frequently looked upon as pests and nuisances. 
The great stress put upon our agriculturists and pastoralists, in order to 
get sufficient fodder to keep their animals alive, has forced them to utilise at 
present many yegetable substances which in ordinary seasons would never 
be used. Among such vegetable growths, the pith of the trunks of bottle-trees 
is now extensively used as a fodder for cattle, and the object of this investiga- 
tion has been to determine what feed value this substance actually possesses. 
