492 Miscellaneous Intelligence, 



method described be the only mode in which the trufle is reproduced, 

 then it is difficult to comprehend the enormous multiplication of 

 that vegetable in certain parts of France, where immense quantities 

 are annually collected without exhausting or even diminishing the 

 race. If the plant has no means of progression, how can the 

 young trufles leave the place of their birth, and become dissemi- 

 nated over the soil ? The Mt^moire received the approbation of the 

 Academy. — Revue Ency. xxxv. 794. 



13. Alteration of Corn in a subterraneous Repository. — An 

 inhabitant of Deneuvre in the department of Merthe, whilst ex- 

 cavating in the locality of the ancient citadel of that town, found a 

 large quantity of corn which appeared to have been carbonized. 

 A portion was sent to M. Braconnot for examination, but without 

 any particulars of the cavity containing it. The grain was smooth 

 on the exterior, and unchanged in form, but its aspect announced 

 the entire destruction of its proximate principles. It floated on 

 water, could be crushed between the finger to a black powder, and 

 when rubbed on paper left traces resembling those of black chalk. 

 Being analysed, it was found to consist principally of a sub- 

 stance resembling ulmine in its properties, ulmate of lime and car- 

 bonaceous matter : the proportions were 



Ulmine . . .... 26.5 



Ulmate of lime, containing some phosphate of lime 



and a little oxide of iron . . 42.0 



Carbonaceous matter ... , 30.0 



Muriates of potash and lime . . . "> 



Nitrates of potash and lime . . j ^'^ 



Fatty matter of the consistency of wax, undetermined. 



100.0 

 Although the time during which this corn has been stored up is 

 probably very long, still M. Braconnot thinks the principal cause of 

 the change in it has been humidity ; and thinks also that the same 

 may have been the case with the corn lately found in an Egyptian 

 tomb*, and quotes the known fact of corn having been found at 

 Scarpone, an ancient Roman station, preserved in good condition 

 during eighteen centuries, in a reservoir constructed of Roman, 

 mortar. 



The best use that could be made of the carbonized corn of 

 Deneuvre was to apply it as a manure, for it contained the best ele- 

 ments of a substance of this kind, andM. Braconnot had long since 

 observed the presence of ulmine in good manure, its acid properties, 

 and its effects on vegetation. He adds also that Bruyeres earth 

 of excellent quality gave one-fourth of a combustible matter formed 

 of ulmine and a carbonaceous body but little soluble in potash, the 

 remaining three-fourths being a pure siliceous sand without a trace 

 of lime. Yet so effectual is this earth, that, where it cannot be 

 obtained, certain exotics cannot be cultivated. — Annates de Chimie, ■ 

 xxxY. 262. 



* See p. 210 of the last Number. 



