438 PROCEEDINGS OF THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION, 



•and confined atmosphere of the closed jars. He had placed under jars completely 

 closed some plants of Cacti, which had flourished more than those now so situ- 

 ated. He did not think that animals could be sustained in the same manner, as 

 they consumed all the oxygen which they inspired. — Dr. Travers remarked that 

 he had seen common Mould, which was a species of Fungus, in a tube which had 

 been heated and hermetically sealed for two years.-^Mr. Bowman had observed 

 that Droseras did not under the jars change the colour of their leaves as in open 

 air. He wished to know of Dr. Graham, how long his Cacti had lived in a moist 

 atmosphere ; they were naturally at certain seasons of the year exposed to heavy 

 rains. He thought it was very possible for plants and animals to live together. 

 — Mr. Duncan inquired, if plant3 were healthy and fit to be transplanted to the 

 open air, when treated in this manner.- — Professor Graham stated, that the 

 Cacti had lived without accession to air eighteen months. He believed that 

 plants and animals might live together, provided the vessel in which they were 

 inclosed was sufficiently large to enable the plants to absorb the carbonic acid gas 

 expired by the animals. This would be a representation in miniature of what 

 takes place in our own world. — Professor Lindlet, in reply to Mr. Bowman's 

 question, stated that plants suffered little when confined in carefully closed ves- 

 sels. From improper treatment they may become debilitated, but he had seen 

 them arrive from foreign countries, when treated in this manner, in the most per- 

 fect state of health. Want of skill in the management of those brought from 

 abroad was the most frequent cause of injury. Too much water was frequently 

 given to plants when just packed. They had better be placed in too dry, than in 

 too moist, an atmosphere. He had seen this illustrated in plants from India ; 

 plants exposed to too much moisture rotted very soon. He thought the change 

 of colour in the leaves of plants depended on their free exposure to light : the 

 Droseras mentioned had not been exposed to the free access of light ; this was 

 certainly the case with the Droseras at Chatsworth, and those of Mr. Gray. The 

 discovery of Mr. Ward was not only important in enabling us to import foreign 

 plants, but it also rendered the ventilation of green-houses less necessary, and 

 would enable gardeners to manage the artificial climate of their hot-houses with 

 less difficulty. The fact that cellular plants grow best under this mode of treat- 

 ment was well established. — Professor Graham stated that the order in which he 

 had found plants to grow best, was, 1. Lycopodiums; 2. Grasses; and 3. Be- 

 gonias. 



Mr. Pooley then made a few remarks on some Swallows which he had found 

 ■embedded in ice in Germany. He thought this fact involved the probability of 

 the hybernation of these birds. A discussion arose, in which Mr. Allis, Mr. 

 Selby, and Professor Jones, pointed out the impossibility of animals so 



