OF THE COTYLEDONS. 101 



ficecls ill the earth there is also an evolu- 

 tion of a considerable portion of heat. 

 This indeed might have been expected, as 

 it usually happens when oxygen gas is ab- 

 sorbed. So far seems to l)e the work of che- 

 mistry alone ; at lea^t we have no right to con- 

 clude that any other ajrent interferes ; since 

 hay^ w^hen it happens to imbibe moisture, 

 exhibits nearly the same processes." 



I conceive the evolution of this heat may 

 powerfully further the progress of vegetation 

 by stimulating the vital principle of the em- 

 bryo, till its leaves unfold and assume their 

 functions. It is necessary to observe, that 

 the above process equally takes place, whe- 

 ther the farinaceous particles be lodged in 

 the bulk of the cotyledons themselves, or 

 compose a separate body called by authors 

 the albumen, as in grasses and corn. 



