220 GERMINATION OF SEEDSi 



to be emitted gas might be emitted from the seed along with the carbonitf 

 in gemination. acid gas> '^^ by the decomposition q{ some of its g l uteilf 



or by absorbing a small quantity with the oxigen gas oi* the 



atmosphere. Jn the experiment No. 1 it will be seen, that 



the first tried gas left a considerable residue, owing no doubt 



to the casual introduction of atmospheric air ID passing up 



the seeds: but the gas, as it formed, being transferred into 



other jars, this errour, after the first 24 hours, must have 



ceased to have any effect. Latterly the production of gas 



became more slow ; and if the seeds had been suffered to 



remain, most likely it would in time have altogether ceased; 



Theseeds after When they were withdrawn and inspected in the first expe- 



the first expe- riment, no sign of putrefaction appeared; they had an ace* 



rimenc ace- , ., -.,. jM . , , , 



scent. scent smell, aud distilled water poured upon them in a mo- 



ment deeply reddened paper stained with litmus. 

 Theory of the Analysis has demonstrated the principal constituent parts 

 production of G f graminaceous or cereal seeds, to be a large proportion of 

 oationf^ fecula, a little ready formed saccharine matter, and a por- 

 tion of gluten ; which last has been proved to be the active 

 agent in fermentation, and necessary for the conversion of 

 sugar and feeula into alcohol. Therefore, to account for 

 the production of gas in germination, as in seeds placed as 

 in the above experiments, it appears, that, after imbibing 

 a quantity of moisture, the fecula by the action of the glu- 

 ten becomes gradually decomposed; the already formed 

 saccharine matter is dissolved, and assists in the instant 

 commencement of germination; water most probably is de- 

 composed ; its oxigen, uniting to the carbon of the seed, 

 forms the carbonic acid evolved; while the hidrogen in its 

 nascent state, by combining with another portion of carbon, 

 assists the continued conversion of the fecula into saccha- 

 rine matter; the oxigen gas of the atmosphere is absorbed 

 for the purpose of restoring the equilibrium of the elemen- 

 tary parts, which the decomposition of the matter of the 

 *eed, while going on, has a tendency to destroy. But if 

 germination be impeded or stopped, by the exclusion of 

 Oxigen gas, or otherwise, the regular composition and de-« 

 composition, and consequent changes in the substance of 

 the seed, presenUy cease: Carbonic acid gas however still 

 continue* to be given out, in consequence of the action of 



the 



