PROSPECTING UP=TO=DATE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 June 1940, Page 2

PROSPECTING UP=TO=DATE

CLUES FROM LEAVES OF TREES. It is an old saying that there is more than one way of killing a pig. There is also more than one way of searching for mqtals in the earth. Prospecting is likely to become more scientific than ever before if the idea of two Swedish investigators is widely adopted. They arc Dr. Nils Brundin and Dr. Sven Palmqvist who search for hidden metal by examining the leaves of trees.

Fantastic though this may sound, it is nevertheless precisely what these •scientists do. It is well known that earth or gravel or water become impregnated with traces of any metal which lies buried in the neighbourhood. Minute examination of these is not always practicable, but a method of experimenting on the leaves of trees and shrubs has been discovered, and this eventually leads to the same result, the trees sending roots deep into the soil and the sap carrying up to the leaves minute traces of whatever metals may exist in the neighbourhood. Dr. Brundin and Dr. Palmqvist ask only for supplies of leaves taken from a given area. After reducing the leaves to ashes they find it possible to say quite definitely what metals are to be found in the region where the trees grew. If gold is there, traces of it will be found in the ashes, and if other metals are present they are sure to be indicated. Where no trees grow other vegetation may be treated in the same] way and quite as successfully.