330 ANNUAL OF SCIENTmC DISCOVERY. 



generally found most abundant in the structures which are earli- 

 est developed, and whose ofliee is rather temporary, or, at least, 

 of secondary importance. From these facts, it will be seen that 

 the adversaries of the employment of common salt as a manure 

 have a new argument in their favor, so far as relates to the culti- 

 vation of corn. The nodes of cereals contain an enormous quan- 

 tity of potash, more than -l.o per cent, of their entire weight, and 

 nearly half that of then- ashes. 



THE VINEGAK PLANT. 



The term Vinegar Plant is applied to a tough, leathery foiTna- 

 tion, which under certain circumstances makes its appearance in 

 saccharine solutions, imdergoing the acetous fermentation. It is, 

 no doubt, essentially the same plant as that which occurs in a less 

 compact form in the French vinegar vats, and which encrusts the 

 brush-twigs or shavings used in the German process. 



Vinegar jjlants are frequently emplo3-ed in domestic economy, 

 for the manufacture of vinegar; and a well-grown specimen l)ears 

 considerable resemblance to a pi(!Ce of buckskin leather that has 

 been soaked in water. If a young vinegar plant is placed in a vessel 

 containing half a gallon of brown sugar and water, to which a 

 little trcai'le may l)e added, and is kept in a dark, warm place, it 

 grows rai)idl}% chiefly Ijy accession to its lower surfiice, and it ex- 

 tends laterally until it reaches the sides of the vessel, the form of 

 which it assumes. In a month or six weeks, the; saccharine solu- 

 tion 'will be converted into strong, well-Havored vinegar. The 

 plant is then removed, and the vinegar is boiled to kill the spores 

 it contains. 



At the close of this process of vinegar-making, the pLant will be 

 found to have increased greatly in thickness, and the under or 

 newly-formed portions will be of a softer and looser texture than 

 the ujjper layers. In this dondition the plant is readily divided by 

 horizontal sjditting into tAvo or more layers, one of Avhich, if 

 placed in a fresh solution, will soon excite the vinegar fermenta- 

 tion, and increase in bulk, while the acetic acid is being formed.- 

 — Microscopic Quarterly, April, 1865. 



THE EUCALYPTUS. 



The Eucalyptus of Australia, recently introduced into the " Jar- 

 din d"'Acclimation " of Algiers, will become of much impoilance 

 in the French colonies of Algiers. 



In less than three years it has attained a height of ten •' metres," 

 whilst in Australia it often reaches that of one hundred and five 

 " metres" and above, and its diameter, at one " metre "' from the 

 ground, is about seven "metres''' and more. The boards made 

 out of it are without any imperfection, and their length is of about 

 sixty "metres." The wood, which is very hard, and of a density 

 superior to that of oak, is worked with great facility when it is yet 

 green. As it is of diiferent shades, and will take a beautiful 

 polish, it is of great use in cabinet-work. 



