426 Miscellaneous Intelligence. 



trees, in which the petals and stamina were absent ; but they differ 

 from the tree of St. Valery in their fecundation being* effected by 

 the vicinity of other apple-trees, and in having only a five-leaved 

 calyx, from five to ten styles, and five cells in the fruit. M. Til- 

 lette de Clermont explains the present case, by the theory of junc- 

 tions and miscarriage developed by M. De Candolle. In applying 

 this theory to the tree in question, it must be imagined that there is 

 the flower of an ordinary apple-tree, from which are developed two 

 other flowers, which, instead of being supported on separate pe- 

 duncles, must be considered as joined together, and at the same 

 time conjoined with the simple flower from which they have their 

 origin ; and this in such a manner, that the soldered ovaria of the 

 two upper flowers are superposed and soldered to the ovarium of 

 the inferior flower, a style and a cell being at the same time sup- 

 pressed. This natural monstrosity, therefore, is the product of 

 three flowers soldered together, in which there is at the same time 

 suppression of the petals, stamina, a calyx, and a pistil. The 

 examination of the fruit leaves no doubt on this subject, and 

 evidently proves the truth of M. Clermont's hypothesis. — Revue 

 Ency. xliii. 762. 



5. Effect of Iodine upon Germination. — A series of comparative 

 experiments have been made by M. Cantu, upon the germination 

 and vegetation of plants moistened with water, solution of chlorine, 

 and solution of iodine ; the latter of equal density. The following are 

 his conclusions: i. Iodine is generally more effectual than chlorine 

 in facilitating the germination of seeds ; ii. Iodine produces this 

 effect by stimulating the germen of the seeds in the same manner as 

 oxygen and chlorine ; iii. Iodine is absorbed by the growing plant, 

 but, by its affinity for hydrogen and the power of vegetation, is soon 

 converted into hydriodic acid ; iv. The germination of seeds, which 

 appear to have lost all vital power, may frequently be excited by 

 iodine. — Bull. Univ. D. xii. 74. 



6. Preservation of Seeds. — M. D'Arcet has preserved corn, which 

 had been infested by weevils, for a considerable time, by putting it 

 into vessels previously rilled with sulphurous acid. All the weevils 

 perished, and the corn ceased to suffer. In this manner insects in 

 seeds may not only be destroyed, but their presence prevented. 

 As it might be inconvenient to burn sulphur in the vessels to be 

 filled with sulphurous acid, we will indicate another method of 

 replacing the acid, and obtaining the same results. All that is 

 necessary is to powder the seeds well with flowers of sulphur, before 

 they are put into the bottles or other vessels ; or, after having put 

 the seeds into a bottle, the sulphur may be added, and the whole 

 well shaken together, so as to bring it into contact with all the 

 seeds. The presence of the sulphur will prevent entirely the 

 attacks of insects. — Journ, des Connais. Usuelles, 1829, lxviii. 



