Electric Currents in vegetable Structures, 293 



are comparatively much larger and stronger than in the La- 

 ce rta agilis, and are not so pointed. The four front teeth are 

 separated further from each other, and are larger and more 

 blunted than the four following on each side ; the hinder 

 teeth gradually increase in size ; and the hindermost are the 

 largest of the series. Of vertebrae are reckoned 7 of the 

 neck, 1 5 of the back, 2 of the pelvis, and 25 of the tail ; 

 which, however, represent only two thirds of the length of the 

 tail : the last third is wanting. All the dorsal vertebrae pos- 

 sessed much wider ribs in comparison than in the Lacerta 

 agilis ; and, as far as I can perceive in this animal, slender 

 ribs existed on the belly, which were continuous with the 

 former. If these were united in an opposite direction, their 

 union was effected only in a very simple manner. The ver- 

 tebrae appear to have possessed a similar termination at both 

 ends, as I usually found in the Saurians of the transition strata. 

 The pressure which they have experienced at this point renders 

 their complete examination a difficult task. Of the superior 

 spinous process nothing can be determined, as the animal is 

 placed on its back. The first caudal vertebrae present inferior 

 spinous processes ; and in several of the caudal vertebrae 

 large transverse processes are seen, which gradually decrease 

 in size. Of the pelvis and the apparatus of the breast it is 

 difficult to pronounce decisively. The arrangement of the 

 limbs accords, on the whole, with that of the Lacertae. As 

 no traces of the skin of this little Saurian were found, it is 

 probable thas it was not covered with many scales, but with 

 a soft skin. 



{To be continued.) 



Art. II. Observations on the Existence of electric Currents in 



. vegetable Structures. By Golding Bird, Esq., F.L.S. F.G.S., 



Lecturer on Experimental Philosophy at Guy's Hospital, &c. 



In my last communication I have given a brief account of 

 the experiments which indicate the existence of electric cur- 

 rents in vegetable structures ; and mentioned certain chemical 

 changes which take place during the process of germination, 

 and which appear of sufficient energy to develope these cur- 

 rents. I next wish to direct attention to some circumstances, 

 connected with this subject, which deserve notice, on account 

 of their intimate relation to the physiological and chemical 

 changes proper to germination. 



From the result of BecquerePs experiments, in which he 

 allowed seeds to germinate on litmus paper, it is evident (as 

 shown by that philosopher), that an individual seed, during 





