Bone Phosphate of Lime..................................................17.83

containing of Phosphoric Acid, 8.17"}
Bone Phosphate of Magnesia,                     } 11.80                        6.68

containing of Phosphoric Acid, 3.63 }

Alkaline Salts.............................................................. 7.60

Sand, and a trace of Peroxyd of Iron ................................. 1.80

Organic matter............................................................34.68

" " capable of producing ammonia, 10.30
Water.........................................................................31.91

100.
Signed                                              C. Bickel, Ph. D.

When it is remembered that the average of No. 1 Peruvian
Guano is about sixteen and a half per cent, and that in this guano we
have about ten and a half per cent, of ammonia, and that in the
other substances their value is about the same, we can easily cal-
culate what its price should be in comparison with Peruvian Guano.
I do not think it likely that there will be much of this guano in
market as the locality from whence it comes, does not favor the
deposition of ammoniacal guano.

I must here state these general facts to our people, viz: that
guano, such as Peruvian or capable of competing with it, cannot be
found in places subject to rain, and we should look with great dis-
trust upon those guanos which assume to have a large per centage
of ammonia, if they are not found where rain rarely or never
falls. The reasons for the above opinion are set forth in the fol-
lowing communication some time since, addressed—

To Hon. I. Toucey, Secretary of the Navy ;

For some time past there have been occasional statements in the
newspapers, as to the discovery of an island in the Pacific ocean a
few degrees from the Equator, and about fifteen hundred miles
from the coast, which would afford a manure equal, if not superior,
to that derived from the Chincha Islands, belonging to the Peruvian
Government. The existence of this island and its guano deposits,
have been so confidently made that not only has a stock company
been formed, but the United States Government has sent out a na-
tional vessel (the Independence) for the purpose of taking formal
possession of it, and thereby furnish to us a guano equal to Peru-
vian at much less cost. The report made by this vessel on its
return was not satisfactory to parties interested, and another expe-
dition has been ordered to take possession of this precious island.

No one would be more gratified than myself if the anticipations
as to the existence of this island could be realized, and if a manure
could be discovered capable of competing with Peruvian guano;
but we should not be deluded with false hopes, nor should our

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