INFLUENCE OF OXfGEN ON GERMINATION. 209 



the water. Their organifation, different from that of the ter- 

 reflrial plants, enables them to avail themfelves, for the fame 

 operations, of the oxigen which is diffolved in the water. 



Though feeds can germinate under water, yet by being kept Seeds are Injured 

 there they lofe much of this faculty, and at length become jj*™ 8 m 

 altered to fitch a degree as to be no longer capable of germi* 

 nation, even though we change their place, and tranfport 

 them into dry earth. 



I have obferved that feeds of wheat, that had been kept in Experimental 

 water during three fucceffive days, but not under circum- pr0 ° ' 

 fiances to enable them to germinate, and were afterwards 

 tranfported into dry ground proper for producing this effect, 

 germinated almofl with the fame vigour as if they had been 

 placed there at firft ; but the fifth day the greater part ceafed 

 to germinate^ and thofe which ftill germinated did it in a lan- 

 guid manner, and the fmall plants which they produced were 

 fickly, and without vigour. 



I have remarked, that the fame happens with plants which even after ger* 

 have germinated under water ; by remaining there during too l lon * 

 great a length of time, thefe tender plants are fpoiled, and no 

 longer capable of growing and thriving, even though they 

 change their fituation, and are placed under more favourable 

 circumftances. I have alfo obferved, that this too long abode 

 in the water is the more dangerous to them when thefe plants 

 are tender ; that is to fay, nearer to the period of their birth, 

 or commencement of germination. 



Hence we fee what danger arifes from too long continued Hence the mlf- 

 and abundant rains after the feed time. The too great quan- jjjj! rains after 

 tity of water keeping the feeds for too great a length of time feed time, 

 in a ftate of fubmerfion, prevents their germinating, or injures 

 their healthy germination, and is the caufe why the plants 

 which they produce appear with a conftitution more or lefs 

 altered, in confequence of the prevention of their communi- 

 cation with the air, or, in other words, for want of oxigen. 

 Hence the wet winters, which, for the reafons that have been 

 mentioned, may prove dangerous to the feeds of wheat, the 

 moft important of the fruits of the earth, are juftly confidered 

 as prefaging a fcanty harveft. 



— — — — Hyemes optate ferenas 

 AgricoJae : hyberno laetiflima pulvere farra 

 Laetus ager Viro. GsqjUU 



Vol. I.-*March. P Dry 



