364 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Nov., 1902. 
The following is the result of the analysis of a sample of a Bottle Tree 
(Sterculia rupestris, Benth.) obtained from a scrub near Biggenden. For the 
analysis the spongy pith of the tree was used :— . 
ANALYsiIs OF Prru oF Borrrie-TREE. 
Dry Original 
Substance Tree. 
Per cent. Per cent. 
Water Hee: ors map net ir HPs 0:00 78°62 
Nitrogen... ay ae At hs! ..  0°650 0139 
Proteids (N x 6:0) fe es eS ax, tT 0°884 
Starch ott — a ace x py MPS 1°59 
Fat (ether extract) ... a hes xt Pre Ox (Alb. 0158 
Ash (pure) ... es — at ie « hh 1:95 
Soluble in Water. 
Total soluble extract ies 2x 47°62 10:18 
Soluble ash ... _ ey nn te .. 6°52 1:39 
Nitrogen... 25 23 “ect ax ... 0285 0061 
Soluble proteids (N x 6) ... ae ot pels (AL 0366 
Carbohydrates, re- esa as fruit sug. ... 10°30 2:20 
ducing Fehl. sol. (after inversion, do. PeeLUcOS 2°37 
Vegetable mucilage (pectose) fr. diff... .. 28°31 6:05 
Soluble in diluted Hydrochloric Acid (5 per cent.) 
Total extract S a) ot me ay 3°48 
EST imeres ve Te ~ a th ere me melicy 0°31 
Carbohydrates as fruit sugar on ax ey EHS 0°83 
Analysis of Crude Ash. mh cotit 
Carbonic acid ... <7 Hts ag ree sx 2D 
Carbon... 7 op aT. ny ree = 0°41 
Phosphoric acid ies ix; a <0 a 0:24 
Lime th sig nD on BLS .. «= 248 
Magnesia 0 a8 nix aT. ay, .. 18°35 
Potash ... aD an at oss “bh e229; 02 
Soda ... See i 0 st oo os 1:76 
It is seen from a study of the above analysis that, in the first place, a very 
large proportion of the materials composing this pith or mare consists of sub- 
stances actually soluble in water, as indicated by the high percentage of the 
water soluble extract. Itis further seen that the materials contain, in not incon- 
siderable proportion, protecds, nitrogenous bodies which are the chief flesh and 
tissue forming constituents of all fodder plants. 
Carbohydrates, or sugar-yielding bodies (starch, glucose, &c.), substances 
which produce and maintain the animal heat, are also found in very considerable 
‘amounts. 
The special peculiarity in the composition, however, is the presence of a 
large amount of a substance known as vegetable mucilage, or pectose, a body 
which causes the watery extract of the pith to form a slimy jelly. The actual 
value of this substance as a food has not been thoroughly, established ; but the 
very fact of its being so easily soluble in water and the nature of its chemical 
composition make it probable that it is assimilated by the animal organism in 
similar manner as soluble carbohydrates. 
ee 
