298 Existence of electric Currents 



element of a feeble battery, we find bases, as potass, soda, 

 and probably ammonia, formed by the union of hydrogen of 

 the water and nitrogen of the air, gradually developed. These 

 unite with and neutralise the free acid expelled by the vital 

 (? electric) influence of the germinating seed, and place it 

 under circumstances most favourable for its developement, by 

 virtually removing those substances which would prove in- 

 jurious to it. Accordingly, on the copper discs we find the 

 seeds rapidly germinate; their growth is accelerated, and 

 vigorous and healthy plants are produced, far exceeding in 

 vigour those cultivated under similar circumstances, but 

 without the voltaic influence of the metallic disc. On the 

 zinc, or positive surface of the disc, we have a far different 

 state of things. In consequence of its electro-positive state, 

 it unites with oxygen, to the partial exclusion of the seed. 

 Acids are set free on its surface, which tend to retard, by 

 their depressing, or perhaps chemical, influence, the deve- 

 lopement of the infant plant; and, finally, the plantules either 

 struggle for a time through a sickly existence, or die from 

 those changes necessary for their developement being arrested. 

 The copper surface of the discs, from assuming an electric 

 state analogous to that of the germinating seed, tend, there- 

 fore, to assist its evolution ; whilst the zinc surface, by being 

 in an oppositely electric condition, oppose its feeble vital state, 

 and enfeeble, or altogether check, its developement. 



In the above remarks, I have confined myself almost solely 

 to the process of germination ; for, obscure as it is, I do think 

 that, by the light of chemistry, we have been enabled to 

 traverse some of its mazes with more success than those of 

 the more concealed, and consequently obscure, functions of 

 the adult plant. In these imperfect and somewhat de- 

 sultory observations, I trust that enough has been advanced 

 to demonstrate, — 



1st. The great improbability of vegetables, on account of 

 their feeble insulation, ever becoming so charged with elec- 

 tricity as to afford a spark* ; and the probability of those 

 luminous phenomena said to be exhibited by some plants 

 depending on other sources than electric currents.-)- 



2d. That electric currents, of very feeble tension, are always 

 circulating in, and exerting their influence upon, vegetable 

 tissues at every stage of developement. % 



3d. That electric currents are developed during germination, 



* Babinet et Bailly, Resume, supra citat. 

 •j- Lestiboudois, Botanographie Belgique, torn, ii., sup. citat. 

 \ Donne et Pouillet, in Traite de l'E'lectricite et du Magnetisme, ps 

 M. Becquerel, torn. iv. p. 164. et seq. 



