Such rattling sounds do not, however, afford infallible criteria as to the presence or absence of tabasheer in a bamboo, for where the quantity is small it is often found to be closely adherent to the bottom and sides of the cavity.

An analysis of this tabasheer from the Andes showed that it contained 70 per cent. of silica and 30 per cent.

It would, perhaps, be rash to conclude from this single observation that the American bamboo produced tabasheer of different composition from that of the Old World; but the subject is evidently one worthy of careful investigation.

I. BOTANY.The Relation of Tabasheer to Mineral Substances.

By splitting up different joints of bamboo Dr. Russell was also able to satisfy himself of the gradual deposition within them of the solid tabasheer by the evaporation of the liquid solvent.

A number of interesting experiments were performed by saturating the tabasheer with oils of different refractive powers, and by heating it in various ways and under different conditions, and also by introducing carbonaceous matter into the minute pores of the substance by setting fire to paper in which fragments were wrapped.