Miscellaneous. 77 



dislocation is not confined to the coal-measures, but extends to the 

 old red sandstone, the whole series of which, with the coal-measures 

 reposing on them, having been at Cherra Ponji thrown 3000 feet 

 above those which have been recently found by Major Lister and 

 others at the bottom of the same mountains. It is of much import- 

 ance to draw comparisons between geological phenomena of this na- 

 ture in remote parts of the earth, as tending not only to put our 

 theories to the test, but also to correct and give confidence to our 

 views, which, however complicated they may appear when derived 

 from a narrow field of observation, become gradually simplified and 

 important in proportion as our data become general." — M'C lei land's 

 Calcutta Journal of Natural History. 



Suggestions for Experiments on the Conservation of Vegetative 

 Powers in Seeds, circulated by a Committee of the British Asso- 

 ciation. — These experiments are intended to determine the follow- 

 ing questions : — 



1. What is the longest period during which the seeds of any plant 

 under any circumstances can retain their vegetative powers ? 



2. What is the extent of this period in each of the natural orders, 

 genera and species of plants ? and how far is it a distinctive cha- 

 racter of such groups ? 



3. How far is the extent of this period dependent on the apparent 

 characters of the seed ; such as size, hardness of covering, hardness 

 of internal substance, oiliness, mucilage, &c. ? 



4. What are the circumstances of situation, temperature, dryness, 

 seclusion from the atmosphere, &c. most favourable to the preser- 

 vation of seeds ? 



To answer these questions satisfactorily will require the accumu- 

 lation of a large mass of facts ; and although there are many diffi- 

 culties in the way of such an investigation, and many years may 

 elapse before it can be brought to maturity, yet it is desirable that 

 the British Association should commence the collection of materials 

 for the purpose. It is proposed then to invite botanists and others 

 to undertake the following series of experiments, and to communi- 

 cate the results to the British Association. 



These experiments are either Retrospective or Prospective. 



A. Retrospective Experiments. 

 1. By collecting samples of ancient soils from situations where 

 vegetation cannot now take place, and by exposing these soils to air, 

 light, warmth, and moisture, to ascertain whether any, and if any, 

 what, species of plants spontaneously vegetate in them. 



N.B. — Care must of course be taken that no seeds obtain ad- 

 mittance into these soils from external sources, — such as the 

 air or water introduced to promote vegetation. 

 These ancient soils are either natural or artificial deposits. 

 The natural deposits belong either to past geological periods or 

 to the recent period. 



a. The deposits of past periods are either secondary or tertiary. 

 N.B. — There seems, every reason to believe that the age even 

 of the latest of these deposits is far beyond the maximum 



